Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of substituents in aromatic ring and the side chain of safrole on the antioxidant capacity and toxicity of twelve synthetic derivatives of safrole (S1-S12). Each compound was analyzed by two antioxidant methods: DPPH and bleaching of beta-carotene (DBC). Among the derivates of safrol assayed, S5, S6, S9, S10 and S11 showed the strongest antioxidant capacity: DPPH method, first order specific rate constant (0.0152, 0.0211, 0.0432, 0.0317 and 0.0072) and DBC (22.41 +/- 0.13%, 10.71 +/- 0.05 %, 9.12 +/- 0.89 %, 30.97 +/- 0.92 % and 19.08 + 0.31 %), respectively. The toxicity of the active compounds was evaluated by means of two techniques, Artemia salina, LD50 (4466 +/- 1057 ppm, 630 +/- 108 ppm, 1513 +/- 797 ppm, 1585 +/- 317 ppm, 1259 +/- 242 ppm) and red cells, Haemolysis (1.58 +/- 0.98%, 4.02 +/- 2.03%, 8.42 +/- 1.38%, 2.59 +/- 2.31%, 2.92 +/- 0.52%), to provide preliminary information that can be used as a basis for further studies to contribute to the search for new antioxidants.