Synthesis of selenium-containing polyphenolic acid esters and evaluation of their effects on antioxidation and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition.

Six novel selenium-containing polyphenolic acid esters were synthesized and evaluated as antioxidants and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Synthesis of the title compounds involved the Mitsunobu reaction of polyphenolic acids with 2-phenylselenoethanol. Compounds and were found to be very effective antioxidants and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors with activity comparable to or better than caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) phenethyl ester (CAPE).