A Review on Vitamin E Natural Analogues and on the Design of Synthetic Vitamin E Derivatives as Cytoprotective Agents

Vitamin E, essential for human health, is widely used worldwide for therapeutic or dietary reasons. The differences in the metabolism and excretion of the multiple vitamin E forms are presented in this review. The important steps that influence the kinetics of each form and the distribution and processing of vitamin E forms by the liver are considered. The antioxidant as well as non-antioxidant properties of vitamin E forms are discussed. Finally, synthetic tocopherol and trolox derivatives, based on the design of multitarget directed compounds, are reviewed. It is demonstrated that selected derivatization of vitamin E or trolox structures can produce improved antioxidants, agents against cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

Automated summary

This review outlines the differences in metabolism and excretion of multiple forms of Vitamin E and discusses the antioxidant and non-antioxidant properties of Vitamin E. Additionally, it explores how synthetic tocopherol and trolox derivatives, designed as multitarget directed compounds, can produce improved antioxidants for combating cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders.