SCAVENGING OF HYDROXY RADICALS BY LIGNA G LUCOSIDES IN GERMINATED SESAME SEEDS

We investigated scavenging of hydroxy radicals by lignan glucosides wh ich are abundant in germinated sesame seeds. Hydroxy radicals were gen erated by the Fenton reaction and trapped with the nitrone trap 5,5-di methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide. The resultant adduct was detected by elect ron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. Five lignan glucosides tested could the scavenge hydroxy radicals. Four lignan glucosides at the co ncentrations 0.06 or 0.07 mu mol/ml scavenged 3.7x10(-6) spin of hydro xy radicals. The scavenge activity depended upon the concentration.