Synthesis, antioxidant properties and neuroprotection of α-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone derived HomoBisNitrones in in vitro and in vivo ischemia models

Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 25;10(1):14150. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70690-y.

Abstract

We herein report the synthesis, antioxidant power and neuroprotective properties of nine homo-bis-nitrones HBNs 1-9 as alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) analogues for stroke therapy. In vitro neuroprotection studies of HBNs 1-9 against Oligomycin A/Rotenone and in an oxygen-glucose-deprivation model of ischemia in human neuroblastoma cell cultures, indicate that (1Z,1'Z)-1,1'-(1,3-phenylene)bis(N-benzylmethanimine oxide) (HBN6) is a potent neuroprotective agent that prevents the decrease in neuronal metabolic activity (EC50 = 1.24 ± 0.39 μM) as well as necrotic and apoptotic cell death. HBN6 shows strong hydroxyl radical scavenger power (81%), and capacity to decrease superoxide production in human neuroblastoma cell cultures (maximal activity = 95.8 ± 3.6%), values significantly superior to the neuroprotective and antioxidant properties of the parent PBN. The higher neuroprotective ability of HBN6 has been rationalized by means of Density Functional Theory calculations. Calculated physicochemical and ADME properties confirmed HBN6 as a hit-agent showing suitable drug-like properties. Finally, the contribution of HBN6 to brain damage prevention was confirmed in a permanent MCAO setting by assessing infarct volume outcome 48 h after stroke in drug administered experimental animals, which provides evidence of a significant reduction of the brain lesion size and strongly suggests that HBN6 is a potential neuroprotective agent against stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Brain Ischemia / chemically induced
  • Brain Ischemia / drug therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclic N-Oxides / chemistry*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Free Radical Scavengers / chemical synthesis
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use*
  • Glucose / pharmacology
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / drug therapy
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neuroprotection / drug effects*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Nitrogen Oxides / chemical synthesis
  • Nitrogen Oxides / pharmacology
  • Nitrogen Oxides / therapeutic use*
  • Oligomycins / toxicity
  • Oxygen / pharmacology
  • Rotenone / toxicity

Substances

  • Cyclic N-Oxides
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Oligomycins
  • nitrones
  • Rotenone
  • oligomycin A
  • phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone
  • Glucose
  • Oxygen