(4-Methoxy-benzylidene)-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-amine, a nitrogen analog of stilbene as a potent inhibitor of melanin production.

The current study was carried out to investigate in vitro the effects of (4-methoxy-benzylidene)-(3-methoxyphenyl)-amine on melanin biosynthesis which is closely related to hyper-pigmentation. (4-Methoxy-benzylidene)-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-amine, a nitrogen analog of stilbene, was synthesized by a single step process. This compound inhibited the tyrosinase activity, which converts dopa to dopachrome in the biosynthetic process of melanin, and showed a UV-blocking effect at UV-B band. The compound also exhibited SOD-like activity, which is involved in the protection against auto-oxidation and inhibited melanin production in melan-a cell line. Our results suggest the possibility that (4-methoxy-benzylidene)-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-amine might be used as a skin whitening agent.