SCAVENGING EFFECTS OF CYTOSINE ARABINOSIDE HYDROCHLORIDE ON HYDROXYL FREE RADICAL

The cell damages caused by superoxide free radical (O₂^-) include a series of biochemical processes, including lipid peroxidation, DNA and chromosomal damage as well as deactivation of enzyme. It has been suggested that the intrinsic attacking agent is hydroxyl free radical (.OH), which is generated through Fenton reaction. Thus, any .OH scavenging agent may inhibit the relevant cell damage. Cytosine arabinoside was found to be able to scavenge .OH generated by Co~(60) radiolysis and Fe(11)-EDTA with H₂O₂ in aqueous solutions. Determination of the fluorescence of hydroxylated derivatives from benzoate was used to estimate the level of .OH. The scavenging percentage and inhibition ratio of .OH by cytosine arabinoside were measured.