%0 Journal Article %A W G Harrelson, Jr %A R P Mason %T Microsomal reduction of gentian violet. Evidence for cytochrome P-450-catalyzed free radical formation. %D 1982 %J Molecular Pharmacology %P 239-242 %V 22 %N 2 %X The triarylmethane dye, gentian violet, is shown to undergo a one-electron reduction by the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system to produce a carbon-centered free radical as demonstrated by direct electron spin resonance techniques. The formation of this species is inhibited by carbon monoxide and metyrapone, suggesting the involvement of cytochrome P-450. Either NADPH or NADH can serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of this free radical. Related triarylmethane dyes are also shown to be reduced by the monooxygenase system to form free radicals. %U https://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/molpharm/22/2/239.full.pdf