3‐butyl‐6‐fluoro‐1 (3H)‐isobenzofuranone,a derivative of dl‐n‐butylphthalide,attenuates hydrogen peroxide‐induced damage in PC12 cells

The anti‐cerebral ischemia agent, dl‐3‐n‐butylphthalide (NBP), is effective in models of vascular dementia in animals. The present study investigates the protective effect of 3‐butyl‐6‐fluoro‐1 (3H)‐isobenzofuranone (6‐F‐NBP), a fluoro derivative of dl‐nbutylphthalide, in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)‐induced damage in PC12 cells. Exposure of PC12 cells to H₂O₂ for 24 h led to decreased cell survival, glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In contrast, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, nitric oxide (NO) formation, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased, as was intracellular accumulation of Ca²⁺]_i. However, pretreatment with 6‐F‐NBP markedly reversed the changes induced by H₂O₂, exhibiting a protective effect against H₂O₂‐induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. The compound may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of cerebral ischemia by inhibiting the oxidative damage. Drug Dev Res 72: 259–264, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.