Antioxidant effect of alkynylselenoalcohol compounds on liver and brain of rats in vitro.

Alkynylselenoalcohol compounds were screened for in vitro antioxidant activity. Alkynylselenoalcohols (2a-2d) were tested against lipid and protein oxidation induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in rat brain and liver. The influence of molecular structural modifications of alkynylselenoalcohols in their antioxidant activity was investigated. The 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and the interaction of alkynylselenoalcohols with iron were carried out. The results revealed that the antioxidant activity depends on their chemical structures. Compounds 2e (without hydroxyl group) and 3a (with a tellurium atom) presented better antioxidant profiles than 2b (with a hydroxyl group and selenium atom) against lipid and protein oxidation. Compound 1a (with a butyl group) did not modify the effect of compound 2a (with a phenyl group) on lipid oxidation. Compounds 2e and 3a showed DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Compounds 2b, 2c and 3a inhibited isocitrate-mediated oxidation of Fe(2+). Alkynylselenoalcohols demonstrated antioxidant effects and the modifications in the molecular structure of compound 2b improved its antioxidant potency.