title: Free radical scavenging activity of curcuminoids.
abstract: Three natural curcuminoids (curcumin (CAS 458-37-7), demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin) and acetylcurcumin were compared for their ability to scavenge superoxide radicals and to interact with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) stable free radicals. The results showed that curcumin is the most potent scavenger of superoxide radicals followed by demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Acetylcurcumin was inactive. Interaction with DPPH showed a similar activity profile. The study indicates that the phenolic group is essential for the free radical scavenging activity and presence of methoxy group further increases the activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sreejayan
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D015764:Bepridil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D003474:Curcumin / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals; D010851:Picrates; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013481:Superoxides / Q000032:analysis; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D010851:Picrates; D013481:Superoxides; D015764:Bepridil; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase; D003474:Curcumin