Enhancement of antioxidant activity of p-alkylaminophenols by alkyl chain elongation

Bioorg Med Chem. 2003 Jul 31;11(15):3255-60. doi: 10.1016/s0968-0896(03)00300-6.

Abstract

The initial finding that the p-methylaminophenol (6) exhibited antioxidant activity led us to investigate whether the length of alkyl chains linked to the aminophenol residue might affect antioxidative activity. Therefore, we synthesized p-butylaminophenol (5), p-hexylaminophenol (4), p-octylaminophenol (3), and p-methoxybenzylaminophenol (7). All p-alkylaminophenols quenched alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, with 7 being the most potent DPPH radical scavenger. Lipid peroxidation by rat liver microsomes was reduced by p-alkylaminophenols in dose- and aminophenol alkyl chain length-dependent fashion (3>4>5>6), with 3 being the most potent lipid peroxidation inhibitor, at approximately 350-fold higher potency than 6. These results indicate that elongation of alkyl chains in p-alkylaminophenols may increase antioxidative activity, and that p-alkylaminophenols may potentially be useful in the development of antioxidants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminophenols / chemistry*
  • Aminophenols / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / chemistry*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / physiology
  • Rats

Substances

  • Aminophenols
  • Antioxidants