Neuroprotective activity of different monosaccharide‐modified gastrodin analogs

Gastrodin is a very important and well‐known bioactive glycoside compound in Chinese medicine. It is also known as a drug with neuroprotective function. Here, a practical diversified synthesis of a series of gastrodin analogs was reported, which involved four‐step procedures consisting of bromination, oxidation, etherification, and reduction. Various gastrodin analogs were obtained in good yields. The compound 4c in this study has a good neuroprotective function: it can significantly downregulate tumor necrosis factor‐α and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein levels. The results of this study can provide a research basis for the development of neuroprotective drugs. Taking D‐xylose, D‐glucose, D‐galactose, D‐ribose, D‐arabinose, L‐arabinose, L‐xylose and L‐fucose as raw materials,via acetylation, bromination, substitution, reduction reaction, a series of novel gastrodin derivatives were synthesized.