The superoxide (O2.-) scavenging activity and the neuroprotective effects of pterin-6-aldehyde (P6A), a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, were examined and compared with those of alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), a spin trapping agent. The scavenging activity of P6A was more potent than that of PBN by 150-fold in neutrophil/phorbol myristate acetate O2.- generating system. P6A attenuated the neuronal damage with a much smaller dose and a greater efficiency than PBN in global brain ischemia in gerbils. These findings suggest that P6A is a more potent neuroprotective agent than PBN and has possible therapeutic effects against various diseases in which O2.- is involved.