Abstract
The effect of eugenol on lipoxygenase-catalyzed lipid peroxidation was studied in aqueous solution and in microsomal lipid liposomes. Eugenol did not inhibit lipoxygenase-catalyzed linoleic acid hydroperoxide formation in aqueous medium as assessed by oxygen uptake and linoleic acid hydroperoxide formation. However, using the same criteria and formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, we found that eugenol inhibited lipid oxygenation when the reaction was carried out in linoleic acid-containing liposomes. These results suggest that the peroxyl and carbon-centered radical intermediates generated by lipoxygenase in a membrane environment are readily accessible to eugenol for quenching and concomitant inhibition of lipid peroxidation.
