[The antioxidant action of AH-9]

AH-9 is a compound with hypoglycemic action. AH-9 was also found to have antioxidant activity. The hemolysis, hemoglobin oxidation and lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide and Fe(++)-induced MDA formation of liver microsomes were inhibited by AH-9, and the activity of SOD and catalase were shown to be increased in normal and alloxan-diabetic mice after treatment with AH-9. The above results indicate that AH-9 might act as a scavenger of superoxide and might be useful for improving the pathophysiological state in diabetes mellitus and its complications.