Structure-Activity Relationship of 2-Substituted Hydroquinones as Tyrosinase Inhibitors for Topical Delivery

In order to develop hydroquinone analogues for topical delivery, a structure-activity relationship study has been performed. A series of 2-substituted hydroquinones were tested for their ability to inhibit mushroom tyrosinase, alter melanin release and exert cytotoxicity in B6-F10 melanocytes. The electronic property of the 2-substituents did not affect the tyrosinase inhibition nor melanocyte toxicity. However, lipophilicity did affect to some degree the tyrosinase inhibition. The discrepancy in the structure-activity relationship may be due to the poor aqueous solubility of select analogues. Compounds with steric bulk at the 2-position seems to be less soluble, not enabling the analogue to interact effectively with the tyrosinase enzyme. Among the analogues tested, 2-isopropyl hydroquinone seems to be the most promising candidate for topical delivery, being the least toxic analogue with moderate melanin release inhibition.