Enzymatic Synthesis of a Series of Thioglycosides: Analogs of Arbutin with Efficient Antipigmentation Properties

A biocatalyzed synthesis led to the preparation of a series of thioglycoside analogs of arbutin. These original molecules demonstrated potent tyrosinase inhibition properties as well as the capacity to interact with lectins at the surfaces of cells. The presence of the sulfur atom proves therefore to increase the biological potency of these glycosides.