Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Imine Analogs of Trans-Resveratrol towards Murine Neuronal N2a Cells.

Trans -resveratrol is a natural polyphenol showing numerous biological properties, especially anti-tumoral and antioxidant activity. Among numerous resveratrol derivatives, aza-stilbenes, which bear an imine bound, show interesting biological activities. In the present study, we synthesized a series of imine analogs of trans -resveratrol (seven aza-stilbenes) following an easy and low-cost procedure of green chemistry. The toxicity of synthesized aza-stilbenes, which is currently unknown, was evaluated on murine neuronal N2a cells, comparatively to trans -resveratrol, by considering: cell density evaluated by staining with sulforhodamine 101; esterase activity, which is a criteria of cell viability, by staining with fluorescein diacetate; and transmembrane mitochondrial potential, which is known to decrease during cell death, by staining with DiOC 6 (3) using flow cytometry. In addition, the antioxidant activity was quantified with the KRL (Kit Radicaux Libres) assay, the DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) assay and the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay. The PAOT (Pouvoir Antioxidant Total) score was also used. The aza-stilbenes provide different cytotoxic and antioxidant activities, which are either higher or lower than those of trans -resveratrol. Based on their cytotoxic and antioxidant characteristics, all synthesized aza-stilbenes are distinguished from trans -resveratrol.