Another direction for researchers is to create resveratrol analogs
with high efficacy against skin conditions. For example, Wong et al.
synthesized 40
-ester analogs of resveratrol via decarbonylative
Heck coupling to assemble the protected stilbene core structure
[75]. These analogs were then tested against melanoma cells
[75]. It was found that four of the synthesized compounds are more
effective in killing the melanoma cells than resveratrol, and that
two out of four compounds had no cytotoxic effects on normal human
dermal fibroblasts. Similarly, Moran et al. showed that fluorinated
analogs of resveratrol had better growth inhibitory potential
against melanoma cells [76]. Choi et al. synthesized an analog of
resveratrol, 5-(6-hydroxy-2-naphthyl)-1,2,3-benzenetriol (5HNB),
which has a potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity [77]. This analog
did not show any cytotoxic effects on B16 melanoma; however, it
was found to suppress melanin production by at least 50% [77]. The
authors suggested that 5HNB might have skin-whitening effects as
well as therapeutic potential for treating skin pigmentation disorders