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 1 mM, no protection was observed with nitrone 6. The parent compound α-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone also exhibited protective activity at 9 mM but not at 1 mM. This suggests that nitrone 10 may be a candidate for the treatment of retinal diseases.