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Dietary antioxidants as a source of hydrogen peroxide

Michalina Grzesik1, Grzegorz Bartosz2, Ireneusz Stefaniuk3

  • 1Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, University of Rzeszów, 4 Zelwerowicza Street, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland.

Food Chemistry
|December 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Many antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, generate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in cell culture media. This H2O2 contributes to the toxicity of compounds like propyl gallate, EGCG, and quercetin.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Antioxidants are widely used in biological research and therapeutics.
  • The interaction of antioxidants with cell culture media is not fully understood.
  • Some antioxidants may exhibit pro-oxidant effects under specific conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by various antioxidants in cell culture media.
  • To identify specific antioxidants that produce H2O2.
  • To determine the role of H2O2 in the observed cytotoxicity of certain antioxidants.

Main Methods:

  • Tested 54 antioxidants for H2O2 generation in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), other cell culture media, and phosphate-buffered saline.
  • Investigated the role of transition metal ions using Chelex treatment and iron chelators.
  • Assessed the effect of H2O2 on the cytotoxicity of propyl gallate (PG), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and quercetin (Q) to DU-145 cells using catalase.

Main Results:

  • 27 out of 54 tested antioxidants, primarily polyphenols, generated H2O2 in various media.
  • Propyl gallate (PG), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and quercetin (Q) were the most potent H2O2 generators.
  • Transition metal ions catalyze H2O2 production; Chelex treatment and iron chelators reduced generation.
  • Green tea and ascorbic acid also generated H2O2, with lemon reducing tea-induced H2O2.
  • Catalase treatment significantly increased the survival of DU-145 cells exposed to PG, EGCG, and Q, indicating H2O2's contribution to cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Certain commonly used antioxidants can unexpectedly generate hydrogen peroxide in cell culture environments.
  • The autoxidation of antioxidants, catalyzed by transition metals, is a key mechanism for H2O2 production.
  • The generated H2O2 contributes significantly to the cytotoxic effects of some antioxidants, necessitating careful consideration in experimental design and interpretation.
Keywords:
(+)-Catechin, CID: 9064(−)-Epicatechin gallate, CID: 107905(−)-Epicatechin, CID: 72276(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate, CID: 65064(−)-Epigallocatechin, CID: 722772,6-di-tert-Butyl-4-methylphenol, CID: 66609Aminoguanidine hydrochloride, CID: 2734687AntioxidantApigenin, CID: 5280443Ascorbic acidAutoxidationBetanin, CID: 54600918Buthylhydroxyanizole, CID: 24667Caffeic acid, CID: 689043Chlorogenic acid, CID: 1794427Citric acid, CID: 311Curcumin, CID: 969516Daidzein, CID: 5281708Ethoxyquin, CID: 3293Gallic acid, CID: 370Genistein, CID: 5280961Gentisic acid, CID: 3469Glycitein, CID: 5317750Hesperetin, CID: 72281Hesperidin, CID: 10621Hydrocinnamic acid (3-Phenylpropionic acid), CID: 107Hydrogen peroxideMangiferin, CID: 5281647Melatonin, CID: 896Metformin hydrochloride, CID: 14219Morin, CID: 5281670N-Acetylcysteine, CID: 12035Naringenin, CID: 932Naringin, CID: 442428Oxaloacetic acid, CID: 970PolyphenolsPropyl gallate, CID: 4947Pyrogallol, CID: 1057Pyruvic acid, CID: 1060Quercetin, CID: 5280343Rutin, CID: 5280805Sinapic acid, CID: 637775Sodium ascorbate, CID: 23667548Sodium succinate, CID: 9020TeaTrolox, CID: 40634Vanillic acid, CID: 8468d-Isoascorbic acid, CID: 54675810d-pantothenic acid hemicalcium, CID: 11306073l-Ascorbic acid, CID: 54670067l-Glutathione, CID: 124886l-cysteine, CID: 5862l-methionine, CID: 6137p-Coumaric acid, CID: 637542tert-Buthylhydroquinone, CID: 16043trans-Ferulic acid, CID: 445858trans-Resveratrol, CID: 445154β-Carotene, CID: 5280489

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