Tocopherol long chain fatty alcohols decrease the production of TNF-α and NO radicals by activated microglial cells

The synthesis of a series of Tocopherol long chain Fatty Alcohols (TFA) and their biological activities on the modulation of microglial activation are described. Specifically, the 2-(12-hydroxy-dodecyl)-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-6-ol, the TFA bearing 12 carbon atoms on the side chain (n = 12), shows the most potent inhibition of secretion on nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia.