The inhibitory effect of new hydroxamic acid derivatives on melanogenesis

Abstract

The aim of present study was to examine the inhibitory effects of hydroxamic acid derivatives on the melanogenesis. We found that hydroxamic acid moiety was important for anti-melanogenic activity. Compounds 1a and 1b strongly inhibited melanin synthesis via deactivation of tyrosinase. Hydroxamic acid has metal ion chelating ability which is similar to that kojic acid, however, anti-tyrosinase mechanism of compounds 1a and 1b was different from that of kojic acid. They showed noncompetitive inhibition kinetics.