CURCUMINOIDS AS POTENT INHIBITORS OF LIPID-PEROXIDATION

Earlier studies showed that curcumin is a potent inhibitor of iron-cat alysed lipid peroxidation. Demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and acetylcurcumin were tested for their ability to inhibit iron-stimulat ed lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate and rat liver microsomes . Comparison of the results with curcumin showed that all compounds ar e equally active, and more potent than a-tocopherol. These results sho wed that the methoxy and phenolic groups contribute little to the acti vity. Spectral studies showed that all compounds could interact with i ron. Thus, the inhibition of iron-catalysed lipid peroxidation by curc uminoids may involve chelation of iron.