A novel dicyclodextrinyl ditelluride compound with antioxidant activity

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) primarily arise from products of normal metab olic activities and are thought to be the etiology of many diseases. A nove l dicyclodextrinyl ditelluride: (2-TeCD) compound was designed to be a func tional mimic of the glutathione peroxidase that normally removes ROS. 2-TeC D exhibited highly catalytic efficiency and good water solubility. Antioxid ant activity was studied by using ferrous sulfate/ascorbate-induced mitocho ndria damage model system. 2-TeCD protected the mitochondria against oxidat ive damage in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited also great antioxidant ability in comparison with 2-phenyl-1,2-benziososelenazol-3(2H)-one. The mi mic may result in better clinical therapies for the treatment of ROS-mediat ed diseases. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the F ederation of European Biochemical Societies.