Inhibition of ferroptosis by N-oxide-based fluorescent probes via selective oxidation of ferrous ions

Ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent programmed cell death, is linked to various diseases and physiological processes. Despite the availability of various types of ferroptosis inducers, its inhibitors are limited to iron chelators or radical scavengers. This study demonstrates that Fe(ii)-selective fluorescent probes developed in our lab could serve as ferroptosis inhibitors via selective oxidation of Fe(ii), which is required for lipid peroxidation. This finding opens the door to a new class of ferroptosis inhibitors with potential therapeutic applications.