Fused heterocyclic antioxidants: Antioxidative activities of hydrocoumarins in a homogeneous solution

We compared the antioxidative activities of seven hydrocoumarins with those of alpha -tocopherol for the oxidation of tetralin and linoleic acid in a homogeneous solution. Hydrocoumarins exhibited a higher induction period th an that of alpha -Toc in both systems. However, the rate of oxygen absorpti on during the induction period for alpha -Toc was slower than that of the h ydrocoumarins in both systems. In addition, 6,7-dihydroxy-4,4-dimethylhydro coumarin showed less cytotoxicity toward human fibroblasts than did 2,6-di- t-butyl-4-methylphenol.