Novel vitamin E derivative with 4-substituted resorcinol moiety has both antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory properties.

A novel vitamin E derivative, (6"-hydroxy-2",5",7",8"-tetramethylchroman-2"-yl)methyl 3-(2',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)propionate (TM4R), which has a chromanoxyl ring and 4-substituted resorcinol moieties, was synthesized; and its inhibitory effects on tyrosinase, antioxidant ability, and lightening effect of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced hyperpigmentation were estimated. TM4R showed potent inhibitory activity on tyrosinase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in melanogenesis. The scavenging activities of TM4R on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals were found to be nearly the same as those of alpha-tocopherol. Furthermore, an efficient lightening effect was observed following topical application of TM4R to UVB-stimulated hyperpigmented dorsal skin of brownish guinea pigs. These results suggest that TM4R may be a candidate for an efficient whitening agent, possibly by inhibiting tyrosinase activity and biological reactions caused by reactive oxygen species.