Studies on the preparation of bioactive lignans of oxidative coupling reaction. I. Preparation and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect of benzofuran lignans related to schizotenuins.

The parent benzofuran lignan 4 of schizotenuins 1-3 and related compounds were efficiently prepared by a judicious use of the oxidative coupling reaction, and were tested for their inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate and rat liver microsomes. Among twelve compounds tested in rat brain homogenate, compounds 13, 14 and 16 showed prominent inhibitory activity. Compounds 13 and 16 were then tested in rat liver microsomes, and their activity was found to be more potent than schizotenuin A (1) and much more potent than that of (+/-)-alpha-tocopherol.