Cyclic voltammetry as an indicator of antioxidant activity

A series of compounds based around combining the neuroprotective properties of non-competitive N-methyl D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonists with antioxidant functionalities have been prepared. The redox chemistry of these compounds has been evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, and the results have been compared with their radical-scavenging properties obtained from two standard biological assays, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reacting substances assay) and the Sapphire colorimetric assay. Results from these different methods show general concordance. The most effective antioxidants were substituted phenols, e.g. Trolox(R). The antioxidant activity of a series of pyrimidines was shown to be dependent on the presence of three amino substituents.