Positive Health Online

Abstract

MACRIDES and colleagues, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, RMIT-University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia compared the hydroxyl radical (OH) quenching abilities of the following antioxidant compounds: 1) 5 beta-scymnol, the hepatoprotective shark bile sterol and its mono- and di-sulfate esters 2) 3 marketed pycnogenol preparations (syn: proanthocyanidin natural plant-derived polyphenolic bioflavonoids) extracted from pine tree (Pinus maritima) bark and grape (Vitis vinifera) seeds 3) 2 known hydroxyl radical scavengers, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and mannitol and 4) the peroxyl radical scavenger Trolox, the alpha-tocopherol analogue.

Background

Methodology

Results

5 beta-scymnol was a more potent OH quencher than DMSO, mannitol and Trolox, and significantly more potent than the pycnogenol preparations. Increasing the sulfation of 5 beta-scymnol progressively reduced its free radical scavenging activity, hence attributing its potent OH quenching properties to its novel tri-alcohol-substituted aliphatic side chain.

Conclusion

: The favourable interaction of these shark bile steroids with reactive oxygen species in an aqueous environment makes them attractive candidates for their evaluation as protective agents against illnesses associated with oxidative stress.

References

Macrides TA et al. A comparison of the hydroxyl radical scavenging properties of the shark bile steroid 5 beta-scymnol and plant pycnogenols. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 42 (6): 1249-60. Sep 1997.