Ascorbic acid monoglucoside as antioxidant and radioprotector.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Radiation Biology
• Antioxidant Research

Background:

• Ascorbic acid monoglucoside (AsAG) is a derivative of ascorbic acid.
• Investigating AsAG's potential as an antioxidant and radioprotective agent is crucial for understanding its therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antioxidant and radioprotective capabilities of ascorbic acid monoglucoside (AsAG).
• To determine the mechanisms underlying AsAG's protective effects against oxidative stress and radiation-induced damage.

Main Methods:

• In vitro antioxidant assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging.
• In vitro protection assays against lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and DNA strand breaks (agarose gel electrophoresis) in irradiated mice liver tissues and plasmid DNA.
• In vivo studies involving oral administration of AsAG to mice before gamma irradiation, followed by analysis of liver tissue lipid peroxides.
• Pulse radiolysis techniques to investigate free radical scavenging mechanisms and determine reaction rate constants with hydroxyl (OH) and azide (N3) radicals.

Main Results:

• AsAG exhibited concentration-dependent DPPH radical neutralization, confirming its antioxidant activity.
• AsAG protected mice liver tissues and plasmid DNA from gamma-radiation-induced damage in vitro.
• Oral administration of AsAG reduced in vivo radiation-induced lipid peroxidation in mice liver membranes.
• Pulse radiolysis revealed AsAG scavenges free radicals, with specific rate constants determined for reactions with OH and N3 radicals at pH 7.
• AsAG radicals showed conjugation effects at elevated pH levels (10-11) during one-electron oxidation reactions.

Conclusions:

• Ascorbic acid monoglucoside (AsAG) possesses significant antioxidant and radioprotective properties, demonstrated through various in vitro and in vivo models.
• AsAG functions by scavenging free radicals, offering protection to cellular components like lipids and DNA against radiation-induced damage.
• The study elucidates the mechanistic basis of AsAG's radioprotection, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent against oxidative stress and radiation injury.