Novel naphthalene-2,3-diol antioxidants: Design, synthesis and reactivity

Abstract

Antioxidants, which are molecules capable of inhibiting or quenching free radicals, are believed to be very important molecules for preventing and limiting ''oxidative stress'' in human cells. This oxidative stress is caused by unwanted reactions between free radicals and cell's vital constituents, such as DNA, proteins and lipids. These reactions are responsible for lipid peroxidation, DNA and proteins breakage and mutations that are today known to be associated with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease as well as with aging. The design and development of new antioxidant molecules more effective than Vitamin E, a key antioxidant in human blood, may have value in the prevention of some diseases and slow down the aging process. Compounds 23 and 66, for example, were 2 and 84 times more effective than Vitamin E at quenching DPPH. These compounds were also shown to be considerably less toxic to Adrenal Pheochromocytoma cells than the catechols such as 3 and 6.* *Please refer to dissertation for diagrams.