Design, synthesis and antioxidant activity evaluation of novel β-elemene derivatives

Forty beta-elemene derivatives were prepared and their antioxidant activity in H2O2-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was first investigated. Among which, the dimer compounds 5r and 5s exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity against reactive oxygen species production. Meanwhile, 5r and 5s led to a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide levels and decrease in malonyldialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase contents. Furthermore, KIT assay showed that 5r and 5s did not produce obvious cytotoxicity and had significantly cytoprotective effects against oxidative damage on HUVECs. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.