Effect of venlafaxine on scavenging free radicals in vitro

O BJECTIVE: Venlafaxine (VLF) was examined as a potential donor of H atom(s) to scavenge hydroxyl and peroxy-type radicals generated under aerobic conditions by catalytic oxidation of ascorbate with Cu²⁺ ions. Kinetics of the electron-donor property of VLF was investigated by standard ABTS and DPPH assays. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements were applied to prove/disprove the VLF ability to scavenge superoxide anion radical.

Results indicated that the drug venlafaxine was slightly capable of donating ·H, this way VLF scavenged the in situ generated hydroxyl radicals. Under the experimental conditions VLF was not able to inhibit/retard the propagation of the peroxy-type radicals. Regarding to the drug electron donating property, VLF did not show any ABTS·⁺ or DPPH· radical quenching property. Venlafaxine was not effective in scavenging O2·⁻.

Results of ABTS and DPPH assay showed a negligible redox activity of venlafaxine to both DPPH· and ABTS·⁺. Venlafaxine was not capable of scavenging the superoxide anion radical generated in KO₂/DMSO system, which indicates that VLF is not an efficient electron/proton donor molecule.