Antioxidant and inhibitory activities of thioflavanones against nitric oxide production

The antioxidant and suppressive activities of thioflavanone derivatives against production of nitric oxide were investigated. Thioflavanone derivatives were prepared with methoxy, methyl, nitro, hydroxyl, chloro, and fluoro substituents at different positions. 3′-Hydroxythioflavanone with a hydroxy group at the 3′-position of thioflavanone had a 15–43× higher antioxidant activity than unmodified thioflavanone. Among thioflavanones, 3′-nitrothioflavanone and 3′-hydroxythioflavanone showed increased inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) production, compared to unmodified thioflavanone in a lipopolysaccharide stimulated culture of macrophages cells. 3′-Hydroxy-thioflavanone with a functional group at the 3′-position is a potent antioxidant with an increased inhibitory activity against NO production, compared to unmodified thioflavanone compounds.