荸荠皮提取物对DPPH自由基清除活性

采用70%丙酮溶液对荸荠皮中抗氧化物质进行提取,得到红棕色浸膏。通过定性及定量方法分析了荸荠皮提取物中可能存在的具有抗氧化活性的物质;采用DPPH自由基法测定了荸荠皮提取物对DPPH自由基的清除能力。结果显示,荸荠皮提取物中含有多酚类和黄酮类等化合物,其多酚含量为3.31%(w/w,以干物质计)。DPPH自由基法显示,荸荠皮提取物具有一定的清除DPPH自由基能力,其清除能力与提取物浓度之间显示出良好的剂量-效应关系。该提取物(IC50值为130.37 ppm)对DPPH自由基清除能力略低于BHT(IC50值为94.16 ppm)。     

Free radical scavenging abilities of flavonoids as mechanism of protection against mutagenicity induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide or cumene hydroperoxide in Salmonella typhimurium TA102

Mutagenicity induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) or cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) in Salmonella typhimurium TA102 was effectively reduced by flavonols with 3',4'-hydroxyl groups such as fisetin, quercetin, rutin, isoquercitrin, hyperoxide, myricetin, myricitrin, robinetin, and to a lesser extent also by morin and kaempferol (ID50=0.25-1.05 micromol per plate). With the exception of isorhamnetin, rhamnetin, morin, and kaempferol, closely similar results were obtained with both peroxides. Hydrogenation of the double bond between carbons 2 and 3 (dihydroquercetin, dihydrorobinetin) as well as the additional elimination of the carbonyl function at carbon 4 (catechins) resulted in a loss of antimutagenicity with the notable exception of catechin itself. Again, all flavones and flavanones tested were inactive except luteolin, luteolin-7-glucoside, diosmetin, and naringenin. The typical radical scavenger butylated hydroxytoluene also showed strong antimutagenicity against CHP (ID50=5.4 micromol per plate) and BHP (ID50=11.4 micromol per plate). Other lipophilic scavengers such as alpha-tocopherol and N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine exerted only moderate effects, the hydrophilic scavenger trolox was inactive. The metal chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline strongly reduced mutagenicities induced by CHP and BHP (ID50=2.75 and 2.5 micromol per plate) at low concentrations but induced mutagenic activities at higher concentrations. The iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate, however, was less effective in both respects. The copper chelator neocuproine effectively inhibited mutagenicity induced by BHP (ID50=39.7 micromol per plate) and CHP (ID50=25.9 micrommol per plate), the iron chelator 2,2'-dipyridyl was less potent (ID50=6.25 mmol per plate against BHP, 0.42 mmol per plate against CHP). In the absence of BHP and CHP, yet not in the presence of these hydroperoxides, quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, and naringenin induced strong mutagenic activities in S. typhimurium TA102. Radical scavenging activities of flavonoids against peroxyl radicals generated from 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH) as measured in the haemolysis test, confirmed that in general flavonoids with di- or trihydroxy hydroxyl functions especially in positions 3', 4', 5' are effective radical scavengers. In this test system, however, luteolin was the most potent compound, followed by epicatechin and eriodictyol. Again, isorhamnetin was a potent inhibitor of lysis of red blood cells despite the presence of a 3'-OCH3 function. Radical scavenging activities of flavonoids against the stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in principle obeyed the rules outlined above. Flavanones, tamarixetin, and rhamnetin, however, were only weakly active against DPPH, while isorhamnetin was again a potent compound. From these results we conclude that in the Salmonella/reversion assay with strain TA102 antimutagenic activities of flavonoids against the peroxide mutagens CHP and BHP are mainly caused by radical scavenging effects.     

Selective ABTS radical-scavenging activity of prenylated flavonoids from Cudrania tricuspidata

The antioxidative properties of five prenylated flavonoids, including new flavanone (2), from the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata were examined against the ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals. In most of the assays to determine their antioxidative properties, the ABTS activity was strongly correlated with DPPH because both methods are responsible for the same chemical property of hydrogen- or electron-donation to the antioxidant. On the other hand, the prenylated flavonoids (1-5) acted differently with both methods; namely, all the prenylated flavonoids strongly scavenged the ABTS radical (IC(50) < 10 microM), while they were inactive against the DPPH radical (IC(50) > 300 microM). Even though isolated 5,7,2',4',-tetrahydroxy-6,5'-diprenylflavanone (3) showed weak reducing power (746 mV) by cyclic voltammetry when compared to quercetin (394 mV), both had similar ABTS activity (IC(50) < 5 microM).     

Antioxidant properties of complexes of flavonoids with metal ions

The formation of complexes of metal ions with the flavonoids quercetin (L1), rutin (L2), galangin (L3) and catechin (L4) has been investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy. The antioxidant activities of the compounds were evaluated by using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicalscavenging method. In this work, we have shown that the complexed flavonoids are much more effective free radical scavengers than the free flavonoids. We suggest that the higher antioxidant activity of the complexes is due to the acquisition of additional superoxide dismutating centers. Radical scavenging activities of the compounds were also investigated from an electrochemical point of view. There is a relationship between the logarithm of the antioxidant activity (represented by EC50) and the oxidation potential. The synergic effect of the complexes and ascorbic acid were studied by [13C]-NMR analyses. The results show that ascorbic acid can protect flavonoids from oxidative degradation, and reveal antioxidant synergies between ascorbic acid and the compounds.     

Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracted from the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of baicalein, baicalin, wogonin and wogonoside, the four major flavonoids in the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, were examined in different systems. ESR results showed that baicalein and baicalin scavenged hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical and alkyl radical in a dose-dependent manner, while wogonin and wogonoside showed subtle or no effect on these radicals. Ten micromol/l of baicalein and baicalin effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation of rat brain cortex mitochondria induced by Fe(2+)-ascorbic acid, AAPH or NADPH, while wogonin and wogonoside showed significant effects only on NADPH-induced lipid peroxidation. In a study on cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells system, it was found that 10 micromol/l of baicalein and baicalin significantly protected cells against H(2)O(2)-induced injury. Baicalein was the most effective antioxidant among the four tested compounds in every system due to its o-tri-hydroxyl structure in the A ring. Compared with a well-known flavonoid, quercetin, the antioxidant activity of baicalein was lower in DPPH or AAPH system, but a little higher in those systems which might associate with iron ion. These results suggest that flavonoids in the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis with o-di-hydroxyl group in A the ring, such as baicalein and baicalin, could be good free radical scavengers and might be used to cure head injury associated with free radical assault.     

The effect of catechol O-methylation on radical scavenging characteristics of quercetin and luteolin--a mechanistic insight

The biological effect of flavonoids can be modulated in  vivo due to metabolism. The O-methylation of the catechol group in the molecule by catechol O-methyl transferase is one of the important metabolic pathways of flavonoids. In the present study, the consequences of catechol O-methylation for the pH-dependent radical scavenging properties of quercetin and luteolin were characterized both experimentally and theoretically. Comparison of the pKa values to the pH-dependent TEAC profiles reveals that O-methylation not only affects the TEAC as such but also modulates the effect of changing pH on this radical scavenging activity due to an effect on the pKa for deprotonation. The pH-dependent TEAC curves and computer calculated electronic parameters: bond dissociation energy (BDE) and ionisation potential (IP) even indicate that O-methylation of the luteolin catechol group affects the radical scavenging potential only because it shifts the pKa for deprotonation. O-Methylation of the quercetin catechol moiety affects radical scavenging capacity by both an effect on the pKa, and also by an effect on the electron and hydrogen atom donating properties of the neutral (N) and the anionic (A) form of the molecule. Moreover, O-methylation of a catechol OH-group in quercetin and luteolin has a similar effect on their TEAC profiles and on calculated parameters as replacement of the OH-group by a hydrogen atom. Altogether, the results presented provide new mechanistic insight in the effect of catechol O-methylation on the radical scavenging characteristics of quercetin and luteolin.     

Quercetin-iron chelates are transported via glucose transporters

Flavonoids are well-known antioxidants and free radical scavengers. Their metal-binding activity suggests that they could be effective protective agents in pathological conditions caused by both extracellular and intracellular oxidative stress linked to metal overload. Quercetin is both a permeant ligand via glucose transport proteins (GLUTs) and a high-affinity inhibitor of GLUT-mediated glucose transport. Chelatable “free iron” at micromolar concentrations in body fluids is a catalyst of hydroxyl radical (OH^?) production from hydrogen peroxide. A number of flavonoids, e.g., quercetin, luteolin, chrysin, and 3,6-dihydroxyflavone, have been demonstrated to chelate intracellular iron and suppress OH^? radical production in Madin Darby canine kidney cells. The most effective chelation comes from the flavonone B ring catechol found in both quercetin and luteolin. We show here that quercetin concentrations of < 1 μM can facilitate chelatable iron shuttling via GLUT1 in either direction across the cell membrane. These siderophoric effects are inhibited by raised quercetin concentrations (> 1 μM) or GLUT inhibitors, e.g., phloretin or cytochalasin B, and iron efflux is enhanced by impermeant extracellular iron chelators, either desferrioxamine or rutin. This iron shuttling property of quercetin might be usefully harnessed in chelotherapy of iron-overload conditions.     

Novel cytotoxic chalcones from Litsea rubescens and Litsea pedunculata

Two novel flavonoids with chalcone skeleton, together with seven known flavonoids, were isolated from the stem barks of Litsea rubescens and Litsea pedunculata. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods including IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR. The new chalcones were found to contain the rare epoxy or ethylidenedioxy group. This is the first report on the presence of chalcone in the plant genus Litsea. The cytotoxic potential of two new chalcones was evaluated in vitro against three human tumor cell lines. Both new chalcones displayed potent cytotoxic activities against myeloid leukaemia (HL-60) and epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cell lines and more active than cisplatin (DDP). Interestingly, compound 1 exhibited cytotoxic activity against HL-60 with IC₅₀ value 2.1-fold more sensitive to DDP.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of banana (Musa spp. ABB cv. Pisang Awak)

The methanolic extract of Musa ABB cv Pisang Awak was investigated for the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activity. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of the fruit extract were found to be 120 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and 440 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/100 g of sample dry weight, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the Pisang Awak methanol extract (PAME) (20-500 microg/ml) was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing capacity, 2-2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolourization and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity (OH*). The EC50 values of DPPH, ABTS and OH* activities of the PAME and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) were found to be 65 and 9 microg/ml, 29 and 6 microg/ml, 36 and 42 microg/ml respectively. The reducing capacity increased with increasing concentration (31.5-1000 mg/ml) of the fruit extract and the activity was comparable with the standard BHT. The high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of the extract revealed the presence of polyphenols. The strong and positive correlations were obtained between total phenol/flavonoid contents (R2 = 0.693-1.0) and free radical scavenging ability was attributed to the polyphenols as the major antioxidants.     

Hydroxylated chalcones with dual properties: Xanthine oxidase inhibitors and radical scavengers

In this study, we evaluated the abilities of a series of chalcones to inhibit the activity of the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) and to scavenge radicals. 20 mono- and polyhydroxylated chalcone derivatives were synthesized by Claisen–Schmidt condensation reactions and then tested for inhibitory potency against XO, a known generator of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In parallel, the ability of the synthesized chalcones to scavenge a stable radical was determined. Structure–activity relationship analysis in conjunction with molecular docking indicated that the most active XO inhibitors carried a minimum of three hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the most effective radical scavengers had two neighboring hydroxyl groups on at least one of the two phenyl rings. Since it has been proposed previously that XO inhibition and radical scavenging could be useful properties for reduction of ROS-levels in tissue, we determined the chalcones’ effects to rescue neurons subjected to ROS-induced stress created by the addition of β-amyloid peptide. Best protection was provided by chalcones that combined good inhibitory potency with high radical scavenging ability in a single molecule, an observation that points to a potential therapeutic value of this compound class.     

Role of single-electron oxidation potential and lipophilicity in the antiplasmodial in vitro activity of polyphenols: comparison to mammalian cells

In spite of extensive studies, the structure-activity relationships in the action of polyphenols against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are poorly understood so far. As the mammalian cell cytotoxicity of polyphenols shows a negative dependence on the potential of the phenoxyl radical/phenol redox couple (E(2)(7)), due to the involvement of prooxidant events, and a positive dependence on the octanol/water distribution coefficient at pH 7.0 (log D), we examined the role of these parameters in their antiplasmodial in vitro activity. We found that the concentrations of hydroxybenzenes causing 50% inhibition of the growth of P falciparum strain FcB1 (IC50) are described by the regression log IC50 (microM) = 0.36 + 1.81 E(2)(7) (V) - 0.10 log D [n = 11, r2 = 0.760, F(2.8) = 12.03]. The IC50 values of flavonoids (n = 5), comprising a separate less active series, did not depend on their E(2)(7) values, 0.33 V-0.75 V. These findings were similar to the mammalian cell cytotoxicity data. However, the mammalian cell cytotoxicity of hydroxybenzenes showed more pronounced dependence on their E(2)(7) values [delta log CL50/delta E(2)(7) = (6.9 - 5.1) V(-1), where CL50 is the compound concentration for 50% cell survival] than on their antiplasmodial activity. Although it is unclear whether the prooxidant action is the main factor in the antiplasmodial action of polyphenols or not, our data showed that the ease of their oxidation (decrease in E(2)(7)) may enhance their activity. On the other hand, the different sensitivity of the mammalian cell cytotoxicity and the antiplasmodial activity of the hydroxybenzenes to their E(2)(7) values implied that compounds with high oxidation potential may be used as relatively efficient antiplasmodial agents with low mammalian cell cytotoxicity.     

Structure-antioxidant activity relationships of flavonoids: a re-examination

The antioxidant and prooxidant activities of flavonoids belonging to several classes were studied to establish their structure-activity relationships against different oxidants. Special attention was paid to the flavonoids quercetin (flavone), taxifolin (flavanone) and catechin (flavanol), which possess different basic structures but the same hydroxylation pattern (3,5,7,3',4'-OH). It was found that these three flavonoids exhibited comparable antioxidant activities against different oxidants leading to the conclusion that the presence of ortho -catechol group (3',4'-OH) in the B-ring is determinant for a high antioxidant capacity. The flavone kaempferol (3,5,7,4'-OH), however, in spite of bearing no catechol group, also presents a high antioxidant activity against some oxidants. This fact can be attributed to the presence of both 2,3-double bond and the 3-hydroxyl group, meaning that the basic structure of flavonoids becomes important when the antioxidant activity of B-ring is small.     

刺梨茶总黄酮的提取工艺的建立及其抗氧化活性

为进一步开发并利用贵州独特野生资源刺梨茶,研究其总黄酮的提取工艺及体外抗氧化活性,本文采用单因素实验和响应曲面分析法优化刺梨茶中总黄酮的提取工艺,并经1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)法初步评价其抗氧化活性。结果表明,刺梨茶总黄酮最佳提取工艺为料液比(g∶mL)1∶26,乙醇浓度74%,提取温度75℃,提取时间120min。此条件下,刺梨茶总黄酮得率为2.190%,与预测值2.216%接近。刺梨茶总黄酮对DPPH具有较好的清除能力,其EC50值为0.012 27mg/mL,其清除DPPH的能力微弱于Vc,但强于2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚(BHT)。刺梨茶总黄酮表现出良好的抗氧化活性,可作为天然抗氧化剂开发利用。     

Mechanism of oxidative DNA damage induced by quercetin in the presence of Cu(II)

Quercetin, one of flavonoids, has been reported to be carcinogenic. There have been no report concerning carcinogenicity of kaempferol and luteolin which have structure similar to quercetin. DNA damage was examined by using DNA fragments obtained from the human p53 tumor suppressor gene. Quercetin induced extensive DNA damage via reacting with Cu(II), but kaempferol and luteolin induced little DNA damage even in the presence of Cu(II). Excessive quercetin inhibited copper-dependent DNA damage induced by quercetin. Bathocuproine, a Cu(I)-specific chelator, catalase and methional inhibited the DNA damage by quercetin, whereas free hydroxyl radical scavengers did not. Site specificity of the DNA damage was thymine and cytosine residues. The site specificity and the inhibitory effects suggested that DNA-copper-oxygen complex rather than free hydroxyl radical induced the DNA damage. Formation of 8-oxodG by quercetin increased extensively in the presence of Cu(II), whereas 8-oxodG formation by kaempferol or luteolin increased only slightly. This study suggests a good relationship between carcinogenicity and oxidative DNA damage of three flavonoids. The mechanism of DNA damage by quercetin was discussed in relation to the safety in cancer chemoprevention by flavonoids.     

Mechanism of protection by the flavonoids, quercetin and rutin, against tert-butylhydroperoxide- and menadione-induced DNA single strand breaks in Caco-2 cells

Protection by the flavonoids, quercetin and rutin, against tert-butylhydroperoxide (tert-BOOH)- and menadione-induced DNA single strand breaks was investigated in Caco-2 cells. Both tert-BOOH and menadione induced DNA single strand breaks in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of Caco-2 cells with either quercetin or rutin for 24 h significantly decreased the formation of DNA single strand breaks evoked by tert-BOOH (P <.05). Iron chelators, 1,10-phenanthroline (o-Phen) and deferoxamine mesylate (DFO), also protected against tert-BOOH-induced DNA damage, whereas butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) had no effect. Quercetin, and not rutin, decreased the extent of menadione-induced DNA single strand breaks. DFO and BHT, and not o-Phen, protected against menadione-induced DNA strand break formation (P <.05). From the results of this study, iron ions were involved in tert-BOOH-induced DNA single strand break formation in Caco-2 cells, whereas DNA damage evoked by menadione was far more complex. We demonstrated that the flavonoids, quercetin and rutin, protected against tert-BOOH-induced DNA strand breaks by way of their metal ion chelating mechanism. However, quercetin, and not rutin, protected against menadione-induced DNA single strand breaks by acting as both a metal chelator and radical scavenger.     

Radical-scavenging properties of ferrocenyl chalcones

The radical-scavenging capacities of ferrocenyl group and phenolic hydroxyl group in ferrocenyl chalcone were identified in this work. 1,1′-Diacetylferrocene was applied to condense with benzaldehyde, vanillin, and protocatechualdehyde to produce ferrocenyl chalcones, which were employed to interact with 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cationic radical (ABTS⁺), 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), and galvinoxyl radical, respectively. It was found that ferrocenyl chalcones as well as diacetylferrocene can trap these radicals effectively, and thus, concluded that both iron atom in ferrocene and phenolic hydroxyl group played the radical-scavenging role, and the radical-scavenging capacity of iron atom in ferrocene was even higher than that of phenolic hydroxyl group.     

Geranyl chalcone derivatives with antifungal and radical scavenging properties from the leaves of Artocarpus nobilis

Antifungal activity guided fractionation of the n-butanol extract from the methanol extract of the leaves of Artocarpus nobilis furnished 2',4',4-trihydroxy-3'-geranylchalcone (1), 2 ',4',4-trihydroxy-3'-[6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E),7-octadienyl]chalcone (2), 2',4',4-trihydroxy-3'-[2-hydroxy-7-methyl-3-methylene-6-octaenyl]chalcone (3), 2',3,4,4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-geranylchalcone (4), 2',3,4,4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-[6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E),7-octadienyl]chalcone (5). The chalcones 3 and 5 are new natural products whereas 1 and 2 are reported first time from the family Moraceae. All these compounds showed good fungicidal activity against Cladosporium cladosporioides and high radical scavenging activity towards the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical in TLC bio-autography method.     

朱砂根抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶与抗氧化活性研究

对朱砂根抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶与抗氧化活性进行研究.利用96微孔板法筛选α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制活性;采用DPPH、ABTS和FRAP方法分析抗氧化活性.结果表明,乙酸乙酯部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶的活性最高(IC50=39.27 μg/mL),石油醚部位次之(IC50 =56.11 μg/mL),正丁醇部位活性最弱(IC50=62.05μg/mL),但均远大于阳性对照Acarbose(IC50=1081.27 μg/mL);乙酸乙酯部位抗氧化能力最强,正丁醇部位次之.乙酸乙酯部位清除DPPH自由基(IC50=38.55 mg/L)的能力比BHT( IC50=18.71 mg/L)低1/2,清除ABTS自由基的能力(IC50=3.60 mg/L)比BHT(IC50=7.44 mg/L)强,但比BHA(IC50=1.74 mg/L)弱,还原Fe3+的能力(FRAP=512.99 ±6.80 μmoTE/g)为BHT(FRAP=1581.68±97.41μmol TE/g)的1/3.结果显示朱砂根乙酸乙酯部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶和抗氧化活性最好.     

Structure-antioxidant Activity Relationships of Flavonoids: A Re-examination

The antioxidant and prooxidant activities of flavonoids belonging to several classes were studied to establish their structure-activity relationships against different oxidants. Special attention was paid to the flavonoids quercetin (flavone), taxifolin (flavanone) and catechin (flavanol), which possess different basic structures but the same hydroxylation pattern (3,5,7,3',4'-OH). It was found that these three flavonoids exhibited comparable antioxidant activities against different oxidants leading to the conclusion that the presence of ortho -catechol group (3',4'-OH) in the B-ring is determinant for a high antioxidant capacity. The flavone kaempferol (3,5,7,4'-OH), however, in spite of bearing no catechol group, also presents a high antioxidant activity against some oxidants. This fact can be attributed to the presence of both 2,3-double bond and the 3-hydroxyl group, meaning that the basic structure of flavonoids becomes important when the antioxidant activity of B-ring is small.     

Comparative analysis of molecular properties and reactions with oxidants for quercetin,catechin, and naringenin

Flavonoids, a large group of secondary plant phenolic metabolites, are important natural antioxidants and regulators of cellular redox balance. The present study addressed evaluation of the electronic properties of some flavonoids belonging to different classes such as quercetin (flavonols), catechin (flavanols), and naringenin (flavanones) and their interactions with oxidants in model systems of DPPH reduction, flavonoid autoxidation, and chlorination. According to our ab initio calculations, the high net negative excess charges of the C rings and the small positive excess charges of the B rings of quercetin, catechin, and naringenin make these parts of flavonoid molecules attractive for electrophilic attack. The 3′-OH group of the B ring of quercetin has the highest excess negative charge and the lowest energy of hydrogen atom abstraction for the flavonoids studied. The apparent reaction rate constants (s^?1, 20 °C) and the activation energies (kJ/mol) of DPPH reduction were 0.34?±?0.06 and 23.0?±?2.5 in the case of quercetin, 0.09?±?0.02 and 32.5?±?2.5 in the case of catechin, respectively. The stoichiometry of the DPPH–flavonoid reaction was 1:1. The activation energies (kJ/mol) of quercetin and catechin autoxidations were 50.8?±?6.1 and 58.1?±?7.2, respectively. Naringenin was not oxidized by the DPPH radical and air oxygen (autoxidation) and the flavonoids studied effectively prevented HOCl-induced hemolysis due to direct scavenging of hypochlorous acid (flavonoid chlorination). The best antioxidant quercetin had the highest value of HOMO energy, a planar structure and optimal electron orbital delocalization on all the phenolic rings due to the C2=C3 double bond in the C ring (absent in catechin and naringenin).