Enhanced cell permeability of kojic acid–phenylalanine amide with metal complex

Kojic acid–phenylalanine amide (KA–F–NH2), which showed an excellent tyrosinase inhibitory activity, did not inhibit melanogenesis in melanocyte due to its low cell permeability. To enhance its cell permeability by increasing lipophilicity, we prepared metal coordination compounds of KA–F–NH2 and characterized them by FT-IR and ICP analysis. The metal complex of KA–F–NH2 inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity as much as KA–F–NH2 and reduced melanin contents in melanocyte efficiently.

Graphical abstractThe metal complexes of kojic acid–phenylalanine amide were prepared to enhance the cell permeability.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide