N, N-Bis-(8-hydroxyquinoline-5-yl methyl)-benzyl substituted amines (HQNBA): Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) agonists with neuroprotective properties

N, N-Bis-(8-hydroxyquinoline-5-yl methyl)-benzyl substituted amines (HQNBA) are new peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) agonists, which exert neuroprotective effects on lesionned HT22 cells. We report on the neuroprotective effects of N, N-bis-(8-hydroxyquinoline-5-yl methyl)-benzyl substituted amines (HQNBA) in a model of oxidative stress-induced nerve cell death using mouse hippocampal-derived HT22 cells. The four derivatives (JLK1472, JLK1486, JLK1522 and JLK1535) protected the HT22 cells from death at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 μM. Their action is partially dependent on their ability to act as PPARγ agonists. These analogues also maintain GSH levels suggesting that they have indirect anti-oxidant effects.