Chimie médicale

Technical Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Aline Augusti Boligon, Michel Mansur Machado and Margareth Linde Athayde

There are several in vitro methods for evaluating antioxidant activity. This review article gives information regarding different methods that are used to measure the antioxidant defense system In addition; the advantages and shortcomings, as well as the specific cases of their application also are demonstrated. The chemical principles of methods based on biological oxidants comprise superoxide radicals scavenging (O2 ·-); hydroxyl radical scavenging (HO.); hydrogen peroxide scavenging (H2O2); peroxyl radical scavenging (ROO.) and nitric oxide scavenging (NO.). Among the non-biological testing can highlight scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH• assay) and scavenging of 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) radical cation (ABTS assay). Furthermore, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyl assays also have been described. This article will be a comprehensive ready reference for those who are interested on antioxidant study.