This paper deals with the synthesis of a novel series of amphiphilic glycosylated spin-traps derived from alpha-Phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) and an initial characterization of their anti-caspase-3 activity. Preliminary investigation of their anti-apoptosis effect showed they dramatically inhibit the activity of caspase-3 in cultured neuronal cells following induction of apoptosis by hydrogen peroxide. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.