Cytoprotective organoselenium compounds for oligodendrocytes

Herein we report the synthesis of peptide-like and tetrazole-based organoselenium compounds via Ugi and Ugi-azide reactions, respectively. The organoselenium compounds' intrinsic cytoprotective and antioxidant capacities were evaluated in 158 N and 158JP murine oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, their redox properties were theoretically evaluated using Molecular Operating Environment-docking studies. Most of the compounds did not exhibit any cytotoxicity against the 158JP and 158 N cells. Among the tested compounds, the tetrazole- (e.g., 6, 7, and 9) and the pseudopeptide-based organoselenium compounds (e.g., 11, 15, and 17) displayed antioxidant properties. On the other hand, the quinones- (e.g., 4c and 18) and the pseudopeptides-based (e.g., 12, 14, and 17) organoselenium compounds exhibited prooxidant activities. Furthermore, the tetrazole-based organoselenium compounds 5 and 9 and the selenopeptide 11 and 15 showed good GPx-like activity. Some of the newly synthesized organoselenium compounds presented interesting antioxidant and cytoprotective activities and are therefore considered potential myelin diseases drug candidates. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Organoselenium compounds were synthesized via Ugi and Ugi-azide reactions, with tetrazole and pseudopeptide-based compounds showing antioxidant properties, while quinone and pseudopeptide-based compounds exhibited prooxidant activities. Additionally, tetrazole-based and selenopeptide compounds demonstrated good GPx-like activity, suggesting potential as drug candidates for myelin diseases.