New glutathione peroxidase mimetics-Insights into antioxidant and cytotoxic activity

Abstract A series of N -alkyl benzisoselenazol-3(2 H )-ones has been obtained and transformed to corresponding diselenides by the reduction with sodium borohydride. Additionally, efficient methodology for the oxidative Se–N bond formation by potassium iodate has been presented, new conversion of diselenide to benzisoselenazolone was observed. The GPx-like activity of all synthetized derivatives has been evaluated by NMR. N -Allyl diselenide was up to five times better antioxidant than ebselen. Anticancer capacity towards MCF7 and DU145 cancer cells has been also tested. The highest antiproliferative activity was obtained for N -cyclohexyl benzisoselenazolone.