Dichloro-4-quinolinol-3-carboxylic acid: synthesis and antioxidant abilities to scavenge radicals and to protect methyl linoleate and DNA.

5,7-, 5,8-, 6,8-, 7,8-dichloro-4-quinolinol-3-carboxylic acid (5,7-, 5,8-, 6,8-, 7,8-DCQA) together with 7-chloro-4-quinolinol-3-carboxylic acid (7-CQA) and 4-quinolinol-3-carboxylic acid (QA) were synthesized to investigate the antioxidant properties. 5,7-DCQA exhibited the highest ability to scavenge 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cationic radical (ABTS+.), 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and galvinoxyl radicals. 6,8-DCQA possessed the highest efficacy to protect methyl linoleate against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidation. 5,7-, 5,8-DCQA and QA were able to retard the beta-carotene-bleaching in beta-carotene-linoleic acid emulsion. In addition, 5,8- and 6,8-DCQA efficiently protected DNA against hydroxyl radical (.OH)-mediated oxidation, and 5,8-DCQA and 7-CQA were active to protect DNA against AAPH-induced oxidation. Furthermore, only 7-CQA can protect DNA against Cu2+/glutathione (GSH)-mediated oxidation. Dichloro-4-quinolinol-3-carboxylic acids were potent to be antiradical drugs, and were worthy to be researched pharmacologically.