Comparative radical scavenging ability of bidentate iron (III) chelators.

Iron chelators can reduce radical damage inflicted on cells by two mechanisms, either direct scavenging of the radicals or by scavenging loosely bound iron which under aerobic conditions can generate radicals. Frequently it is not possible to distinguish between these two modes of action. 3-Hydroxypyridin-4-ones, in contrast to many iron(III) chelators are poor radical scavengers and therefore have potential in analysing mechanisms involved in biochemical and physiological processes which are centered on radical-induced cell injury.