Cholesterol-based α-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone derivatives as antioxidants against light-induced retinal degeneration.

Two cholesterol-based α-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone derivatives were synthesized as antioxidants against light-induced retinal degeneration. Whereas nitrone 10 significantly protected retina against bright fluorescent light exposure when injected into the vitreous at 1mM, no protection was observed with nitrone 6. The parent compound α-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone also exhibited protective activity at 9mM but not at 1mM. This suggests that nitrone 10 may be a candidate for the treatment of retinal diseases.