RESUMO
In this study, the scavenging response of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) was evaluated by using series of in vitro models of chemicals compared with standard antioxidant Trolox and curcumin. The THC exhibited its radical scavenging effect in concentration dependent manner on super oxide, hydroxyl radicals, ferric ions, 1,1-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2- azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS). The THC was also evaluated for its inhibitory response on membrane lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) using rat liver homogenate. The present study shows that THC is a good antioxidant compared to the standard antioxidant, Trolox. Although, THC is less active than curcumin in many models, the increased superoxide scavenging and decreased ability to reduce ferric ions offers interesting advantages over curcumin. The THC was also effective in preventing membrane lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO4/ascorbate in concentration dependent manner.