Historically known for its role in blood coagulation, Vitamin K has begun to emerge as a potentially important nutrient for brain function. While the full extent of its involvement in the brain has not yet been fully explored, some studies have related suboptimal Vitamin K status with age-related cognitive decline. Furthermore, it was recently reported that Vitamin K was able to protect neurons and oligondentrocytes from oxidative injury ex vivo. In this study, we take a chemical approach to define the optimal and minimum pharmacophore responsible for the neuroprotective effects of Vitamin K. In doing so, we have developed a series of compounds with favorable drug characteristics that provide nearly 100% protection at nanomolar concentrations in a well-defined model of neuronal oxidative stress.

Structure-activity relationship study
of the neuroprotective effects of Vitamin K derivatives

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Structure-activity relationship study of the neuroprotective effects of Vitamin K derivatives