Sumatriptan scavenges superoxide, hydroxyl, and nitric oxide radicals: in vitro electron spin resonance study.
BACKGROUND
The molecular mechanisms of migraine have not yet been clarified. Oxygen free radicals have been implicated in the genesis of many pathological processes, including migraine. Sumatriptan succinate is known to be a very effective drug for acute relief of migraine attack.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the direct scavenging activities of sumatriptan for superoxide, hydroxyl, and nitric oxide (NO) radicals using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.


METHODS
Measurement of superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities was performed by ESR using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide as a spin trap. NO was generated from 1-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-(N-3-methyl-3-aminopropyl)-3-methyl-1-triazene and analyzed by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl produced from the reaction between 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide and NO.


RESULTS
The ESR study demonstrated that sumatriptan scavenged superoxide, hydroxyl, and NO in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
Sumatriptan has direct scavenging activity on free radicals and NO. Acute migraine drugs with antioxidant properties may provide heretofore unheralded benefits via this mechanism.
Ikeda
Yukio
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Jimbo
Hiroyuki
H
Shimazu
Motohiko
M
Satoh
Kazue
K
D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019097:Spin Trapping; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013481:Superoxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D018170:Sumatriptan