Abstract
Tyrosinase is a copper-containing bifunctional metalloenzyme, widely distributed around the phylogeny. This enzyme is involved in the production of melanin and some other pigments in humans, animals, etc. Abnormal accumulation of melanin, which is due to the overexpression of the enzyme, is called hyperpigmentation and underexpression is called vitiligo, which is a major skin problem around the world. The inhibitors of this enzyme have been utilized in cosmetics, especially as depigmenting agents in the case of hyperpigmentation. They are also involved in several other disease conditions. In the last few decades a large number of tyrosinase inhibitors have been discovered and reported by several groups including ours. This chapter principally emphasizes the discovery of some interesting inhibitors, mainly of heterocyclic origin, and their impacts on drug discovery; some of the inhibitors might not be heterocyclic but their chemistry is quite interesting in terms of the inhibition.
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Khan, M.T.H. (2007). Heterocyclic Compounds Against the Enzyme Tyrosinase Essential for Melanin Production: Biochemical Features of Inhibition. In: Khan, M.T.H. (eds) Bioactive Heterocycles III. Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry, vol 9. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7081_2007_077
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/7081_2007_077
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