Investigation of tyrosinase enzyme (from mushroom) inhibitory activities and antioxidant properties of new fluorine-containing phthalocyanines

Isolation, identification, and preparation of tyrosinase inhibitory peptides from Pinctada martensii meat

Recently, natural tyrosinase inhibitors have gained attention in clinical cosmetology research. In this study, the enzymatic hydrolysis of Pinctada martensii meat by protease from Bacillus licheniformis, 401 peptides with tyrosinase inhibitory were identified after isolated by ultrafiltration and Sephadex G-15 from the fraction F4. The peptide effects on the tyrosinase activity and structure were evaluated using molecular docking. Three synthetic peptides classified as W1 (WDRPKDDGGSPIK), W2 (DRGYPPVMF), and W3 (SGGGGGGGLGSGGSIRSSY), which had the lowest binding energies were selected for in vitro synthesis and biological activity investigation. The W3 peptide (5 mg/mL) had the highest tyrosinase activity, SPF, DPPH, and ABTS clearance values, and total antioxidant capacity. W3 did not affect the survival rate of mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells (1.0-5.0 mg/mL) but decreased the melanin content. Hence, W3 could be suitable for multifunctional tyrosinase inhibition and provides a novel method to use marine organisms as natural tyrosinase inhibitor sources.

Fungal production of kojic acid and its industrial applications

Kojic acid has gained its importance after it was known worldwide that the substance functions primarily as skin-lightening agent. Kojic acid plays a vital role in skin care products, as it enhances the ability to prevent exposure to UV radiation. It inhibits the tyrosinase formation which suppresses hyperpigmentation in human skin. Besides cosmetics, kojic acid is also greatly used in food, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals industries. Conversely, according to Global Industry Analysts, the Middle East, Asia, and in Africa especially, the demand of whitening cream is very high, and probably the market will reach to $31.2 billion by 2024 from $17.9 billion of 2017. The important kojic acid-producing strains were mainly belongs to the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium. Due to its commercial potential, it continues to attract the attention for its green synthesis, and the studies are still widely conducted to improve kojic acid production. Thus, the present review is focused on the current production processes, gene regulation, and limitation of its commercial production, probable reasons, and possible solutions. For the first time, detailed information on the metabolic pathway and the genes involved in kojic acid production, along with illustrations of genes, are highlighted in the present review. Demand and market applications of kojic acid and its regulatory approvals for its safer use are also discussed. KEY POINTS: • Kojic acid is an organic acid that is primarily produced by Aspergillus species. • It is mainly used in the field of health care and cosmetic industries. • Kojic acid and its derivatives seem to be safe molecules for human use.

Photophysicochemical, sonochemical, and biological properties of novel hexadeca-substituted phthalocyanines bearing fluorinated groups

This study presents the preparation of a novel tetra-substituted phthalonitrile (1), namely, 3,6-bis(hexyloxy)-4,5-bis(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy)phthalonitrile (1) and its metal-free (2)/metal {M = Zn (3), Cu (4), Co (5), Lu(CH₃COO) (6), Lu (7)} phthalocyanines. A series of various spectroscopic methods (UV-vis, FT-IR, mass, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy) were performed for the characterization of the newly synthesized compounds. The potential of compounds 2, 3, and 6 as photosensitizing materials for photodynamic and sonophotodynamic therapies was evaluated by photophysical, photochemical, and sonochemical methods. The highest singlet quantum yields were obtained for the zinc phthalocyanine derivative 3 by performing photochemical and sonochemical methods. In addition, several biological activities of the new compounds 1-7 were investigated. The newly synthesized phthalocyanines exhibited excellent DPPH scavenging activity and also DNA nuclease activity. The antimicrobial activity of the new compounds was evaluated by the disc diffusion assay. Effective microbial cell viability inhibition was observed with phthalocyanine macromolecules. The photodynamic antimicrobial therapy of the phthalocyanines showed 100% bacterial inhibition when compared to the control. They also exhibited significant biofilm inhibition activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. These results indicate that new phthalocyanines are promising photodynamic antimicrobial therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Photophysicochemical and Biological Properties of New Phthalocyanines Bearing 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy and 2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)ethoxy Groups on Peripheral Positions

As thiazoles and fluorinated groups are well known as active species of hybrid pharmaceutical agents, this study aimed to evaluate the synergic effect of these groups on the biological features of phthalocyanines for the first time in the hope of discovering efficient pharmaceutical agents. Therefore, a new phthalonitrile derivative namely 4-(2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)ethoxy)-5-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy)phthalonitrile (1) and its metal-free (2)/metal phthalocyanines (3-5) were prepared and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. Solubility of new phthalocyanines (2-5) was examined in a series of polar and nonpolar solvents. Additionally, sono/photochemical methods were applied to examine the photophysical and sono/photochemical properties of new zinc phthalocyanine to measure its potential as a probable material for sono/photodynamic therapies. The antioxidant activities of compounds (1-5) were evaluated using the DPPH scavenging activity method and the highest radical scavenging activity was obtained 92.13% (200 mg L^-1 ) for manganese phthalocyanine. All the phthalocyanines demonstrated high DNA nuclease activity, as well. The antimicrobial activities of compounds (1-5) were investigated using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. The phthalocyanines exhibited effective microbial cell inhibition activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy activity was investigated against E. coli by LED irradiation. Compounds (2-5) acted as photosynthesizers. Also, they displayed significant biofilm inhibition activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).