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Vanillin as an antioxidant in rat liver mitochondria: Inhibition of protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation induced by photosensitization

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Abstract

Using rat liver mitochondria, as model systems, we have examined the ability of the natural compound and the food-flavoring agent, vanillin to protect membranes against oxidative damage induced by photosensitization at concentrations normally used in food preparations. Vanillin, at a concentration of 2.5 mmol/L, has afforded significant protection against protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in hepatic mitochondria induced by photosensitization with methylene blue plus light. The effect observed was both time- and concentration-dependent. The inhibitory effect is similar to ascorbic acid and the singlet oxygen quencher, diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) but less effective than sodium azide and glutathione. Examination of possible mechanisms responsible for the observed protection, showed that vanillin has a significant ability to quench singlet oxygen (1O2), a reactive species responsible for damage induced during photosensitization by Type II mechanism. Hence, this flavoring compound, due to its antioxidant ability, may have potential to prevent oxidative damage to membranes in mammalian tissues and thereby the ensuing diseased states.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 4000 85, India

    Jayashree P. Kamat & Thomas P.A. Devasagayam

  2. Department of Biochemistry, M.S. University, Baroda, 390 002, India

    Arna Ghosh

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  1. Jayashree P. Kamat
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  2. Arna Ghosh
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  3. Thomas P.A. Devasagayam
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Kamat, J.P., Ghosh, A. & Devasagayam, T.P. Vanillin as an antioxidant in rat liver mitochondria: Inhibition of protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation induced by photosensitization. Mol Cell Biochem 209, 47–53 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007048313556

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