Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Melanogenic Activity of 2-Mercaptomethylbenzo[d]imidazole Derivatives Serving as Tyrosinase Inhibitors: An In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Exploration

2-Mercaptomethylbenzo[<i>d</i>]imidazole (2-MMBI) derivatives were designed and synthesized as tyrosinase (TYR) chelators using 2-mercaptomethylimidazole scaffolds. Seven of the ten 2-MMBI derivatives exhibited stronger inhibition of mushroom TYR activity than kojic acid. Their ability to chelate copper ions was demonstrated through experiments using the copper chelator pyrocatechol violet and assays measuring TYR activity in the presence or absence of exogenous CuSO₄. The inhibition mechanisms of derivatives <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, <b>8</b>, and <b>9</b>, which showed excellent TYR inhibitory activity, were elucidated through kinetic studies and supported by the docking simulation results. Derivatives <b>3</b>, <b>7</b>, <b>8</b>, and <b>10</b> significantly inhibited cellular TYR activity and melanin production in B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with stronger potency than kojic acid. Furthermore, in situ, derivatives <b>7</b> and <b>10</b> showed stronger inhibitory effects on B16F10 cell TYR activity than kojic acid. Six derivatives, including <b>8</b>, showed highly potent depigmentation in zebrafish larvae, outpacing kojic acid even at 200-670 times lower concentrations. Additionally, all derivatives could scavenge for reactive oxygen species without causing cytotoxicity in epidermal cells. These results suggested that 2-MMBI derivatives are promising anti-melanogenic agents.