Discovery of novel (1S)-(−)-verbenone derivatives with anti-oxidant and anti-ischemic effects

A series of novel (1S)-(?)-verbenone derivatives was synthesized bearing a 4-styryl scaffold. The synthesized compounds were tested for their anti-oxidant, anti-excitotoxic, and anti-ischemic activities. These derivatives significantly reduced oxygen–glucose deprivation-induced neuronal injury and N-methyl-d-aspartic acid-evoked excitotoxicity in cortical neurons. Furthermore, compound 3f was identified as a potent anti-ischemic agent in an in vitro ischemic model, potentially due to the inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid-evoked excitotoxicity and oxidative/nitrosative stress.