Multifunctional Antioxidants: Regenerable Radical-Trapping and Hydroperoxide-Decomposing Ebselenols

Regenerable, multifunctional ebselenol antioxidants were prepared that could quench peroxyl radicals more efficiently than α-tocopherol. These compounds act as better mimics of the glutathione peroxidase enzymes than ebselen. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in human mononuclear cells was considerably decreased upon exposure to the organoselenium compounds. At a concentration of 25 μm, the ebselenol derivatives showed minimal toxicity in pre-osteoblast MC3T3 cells.