Novel and potent biological antioxidants on membrane phospholipid peroxidation: 2-hydroxy estrone and 2-hydroxy estradiol.

Catechol estrogens, 2-hydroxy estrone, 2-hydroxy estradiol and 2-hydroxy estriol, were tested as possible antioxidants of phospholipid peroxidation induced by Fe3+-ADP-adriamycin, using phospholipid liposomes as lipid source and alpha-tocopherol or other steroids as reference compounds. The parameters of antioxidant activities were: elongation of induction period, inhibition of O2 consumption required for lipid peroxidation and inhibition of peroxidative cleavage of unsaturated phospholipid. Of the tested compounds, 2-hydroxy estradiol or 2-hydroxy estrone had more potent activity than that of tocopherol.