Potential radioprotective agents--IV. Schiff bases

Twelve Schiff bases were prepared using salicylaldehyde, one with 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde, one with benzaldehyde, and a series of anilines substituted in the m- or p-positions. They were assayed for radioprotective activity in male, Swiss mice irradiated with a nearly lethal dose (950 cGy) of 6 mV photons produced by a linear accelerator, and were compared with the parent amines. Schiff base formation reduced toxicity of the parent amines; its effect on radioprotective activity was erratic, increasing activity in some cases, decreasing activity in others, and having no effect in still others. Radioprotective activity appears to be unrelated to a number of molecular descriptors. The highest radioprotection (100%) was observed for mixtures of p-aminopropiophenone with its Schiff base, or with the Schiff base of 1-(p-aminophenyl)-1-propanol (95%).