Novel 2-vinyl-8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives as potential antioxidants and regulators of H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are first reported. The antiradical properties and the reducing power of these compounds were assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and auto-oxidation of pyrogallol method, respectively. The activity against lipid peroxidation was determined using ammonium thiocyanate method. The results revealed that introduction of electron-donating groups at 2nd position decreased the antioxidant activities of 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives. In addition, compound 4, the structure of which is similar to melatonin, exhibited superior antioxidant activities in scavenging DPPH free radical, O(2) free radical, and anti-LPO activities. Except for compounds 7, 12, and 15, the other compounds exhibited a stimulatory effect on MSCs growth. Using hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), we also investigated the protective efficacy of 2-vinyl-8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives against oxidative stress-induced cell death of MSCs. Cell viability assayed by MTT method indicated that exposure of MSCs cultures to hydrogen peroxide resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability, and compounds 4 and 5 at given concentration (2.62 x 10(-3) m) could protect MSCs against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress in bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs).