Synthesis of six mexiletine derivatives with isoindolines attached as potential antioxidants and their evaluation as cardioprotective agents

Six derivatives containing mexiletine and its 2,6-dichloro analogue to which the potential antioxidant moiety isoindoline, its N-oxide and the N-hydroxy derivatives have been attached, have been evaluated as cardioprotective agents. Four of the derivatives at different oxidation states, NH, NO and NOH had significant cardioprotective properties in an in vitro ischaemia model. In contrast to previous reports the NH compounds were not the most active.