Total Synthesis Of 4,5-Didehydroguadiscine: A Potent Melanogenesis Inhibitor From The Brazilian Medicinal Herb, Hornschuchia Obliqua

The first total Synthesis of the 7,7-dimethylaporphinoid, 4,5-didehydroguadiscine (6), originally isolated from the stems and roots of Hornschuchia oblique (Annonaceae), was achieved by the condensation of homopiperonylamine (7) with an alpha,alpha-dimethylphenylacetic acid derivative (8) and subsequent Pschorr reaction of the resulting benzylisoquinoline intermediate (22). The reported C-13 NMR data were partially revised on the basis of the analysis of HMBC spectra measured under different conditions. The melanogenesis inhibitory activity (IC50 = 4.7 mu M) of 6 was 40 times stronger than that of arbutin (174 mu M), which was used as reference standard. Furthermore, 6 was the most potent natural melanogenesis inhibitor Within this class of compounds.