Tyrosinase‐catalyzed oxidation of resveratrol produces a highly reactive ortho‐quinone: Implications for melanocyte toxicity

trans ‐Resveratrol (3,5,4′‐trihydroxy‐ trans ‐stilbene, RES), a naturally occurring polyphenol, has recently attracted increased interest as a health‐beneficial agent. However, based on its p ‐substituted phenol structure, RES is expected to be a substrate for tyrosinase and to produce a toxic o ‐quinone metabolite. The results of this study demonstrate that the oxidation of RES by tyrosinase produces 4‐(3′,5′‐dihydroxy ‐trans...