Synthesis and in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo activity of hybrid compounds linking a potent ROS and RNS scavenger activity with diverse substrates addressed to pass across the blood-brain barrier

The synthesis of a small library of CR-6 (a potent ROS and RNS scavenger agent) derivatives bearing covalent linkage with different endogen nutrients that have specific transport through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is reported. The synthetic sequence involved the preparation of a common precursor ester 6 derived from CR-6, which was easily converted into the carboxylic acid 7a or the amino derivative 11, for its further coupling with the required substrates through amide bonds. Antioxidant in vitro (DPPH) and cellular assays (CAA) with the SH-S5SY cell line performed on these library members revealed that the couplings did not affect the antioxidant activity elicited by CR-6 itself. More interestingly, results from the intraperitoneal administration of selected library components in rats showed that compounds 2b, 2c and 2d were able to pass across the BBB. In particular, the amino acid compound 2d was the most penetrating derivative (15.8 ± 1.7 nmol/g brain with respect to the 4.0 ± 1.2 nmol/g brain found for the parent CR-6). [Display omitted] •A library of CR-6 derivatives linked to endogen nutrients has been synthesized.•Compounds maintained the antioxidant activity of CR-6 (in vitro and ex vivo assays).•Library components were detected in the brain after IP Administration to rat models.•Discovery of novel antioxidant and neuroprotectant compounds able to reach the brain.