A series of potent inhibitors of NADPH- and Fe2+- dependant lipid pero
xidation has been found among new pyrimido[1'6':1,2]pyrido[3,3-b]indol
e derivatives. According to preliminary structure-activity relationshi
p analysis the saturated pyrimidine moiety was responsible for this ef
fect. Some members of this family were effective in a bilateral caroti
d occlusion model in mice, and some derivatives showed protective effe
ct in a mouse head injury model.