An antioxidant compound having anti atherosclerotic effect and preparation thereof (I) An antioxidant compound comprising a lipophilic cation covalently coupled to an antioxidant moiety, wherein the antioxidant moiety if capable of scavenging H2O2 and angiotensin-II (Ang-II) thereby reducing oxidative stress along with reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokine production, is provided. Preferably the lipophilic cation is triphenylphosphonium cation. The antioxidant compound preferably has the general formula (I), where X is a carbon chain of 1 to 30 Z is any halogen and R is H or one or more than one substituted alkyl/alkenyl/aryl side chain/heteroatom. Preferably the antioxidant compound is TPP+ coupled esculetin (mitochondria-targeted esculetin). The antioxidant compound is preferably useful in ameliorating H2O2 and angiotensin-II-induced oxidative stress and cell death by apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and also in delaying cellular senescence by regulating cell cycle proteins. Preferably when administered orally the antioxidant compound inhibits angiotensin-II-induced atherosclerosis, plaque formation in the aorta, thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm, inflammatory cytokine production, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels while increasing HDL levels.
