Melanogenic inhibitory effects of Triangularin in B16F0 melanoma cells, in vitro and molecular docking studies

The lack of secure therapies for hyperpigmentation disorders, without serious adverse effects, and the latest reports relating melanogenic disorders with development of neurodegenerative diseases, encourage the continuing search for new drugs for the treatment of such disorders. In this sense, the plant kingdom is an important source of bioactive natural products with great potential for the research and development of new therapeutics. The present study evaluated the anti-melanogenic activity of the natural methoxylated chalcone, 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-3'-methylchalcone (Triangularin, T), on diphenolase activity from mushroom tyrosinase and on murine B16F0 melanoma cell model. In addition, molecular modelling studies were carried out in order to understand the inhibitory activity observed. T showed a potent anti-melanogenic activity being more active than kojic acid (KA) on tyrosinase isolated of both sources and on intracellular tyrosinase. Molecular docking studies displayed important interactions between T and the active site of tyrosinase. Our results suggest that T may be useful for the treatment of hyperpigmentary disorders.