Premium
Superoxide generation by photomediated redox cycling of anthraquinones
Author(s) -
Hartman Philip E.,
Goldstein Marc A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
environmental and molecular mutagenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1098-2280
pISSN - 0893-6692
DOI - 10.1002/em.2850140108
Subject(s) - anthraquinones , redox , superoxide , chemistry , environmental chemistry , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , botany , enzyme
Anthraquinones (AQs) comprise one important class of secondary metabolites predominantly produced by fungi and higher plants but also produced by a variety of other organisms. Humans orally ingest AQs from environmental sources as well as through direct use as nonpre‐scription laxatives, and some AQ derivatives are used as topically applied antipsoritic agents. Some AQs are mutagenic. We present evidence that aqueous solutions of several AQs in the presence of an appropriate reducing agent and dissolved oxygen generate superoxide when they are illuminated with broad‐spectrum light. Redox cycling of AQs could be responsible for some aspects of their toxicity in biological systems.