Protective Effects of Hydroxychalcones on Free Radical-Induced Cell Damage

Abstract

A number of hydroxychalcones were synthesized to evaluate their protective effects against oxidative cell damage and the production of superoxide anion. The hydroxychalcones which have a 3, 4-dihydroxycinnamoyl structure were potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. In particular, we found that 2', 4', 3, 4-tetrahydroxychalcone (3) exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on H₂O₂-induced hemolysis due to an antioxidant effect. In addition, this compound strongly inhibited CCl₄-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured hepatocytes and substantially decreased the production of superoxide anion by rat peritoneal exudate macrophages.