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.