Free radical production by azomethine H: effects on pancreatic and hepatic tissues

The antimalarial properties of azomethine H represent the basis for its use as a chemotherapeutic agent. This work was carried out in order to verify the biological side effects of azomethine H and to clarify the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this process. It was shown that azomethine H increased serum activities of amylase, alanine transaminase (ALT) and the TBARS concentrations, in rats. No changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities. The drug-induced tissue damage might be due to superoxide radicals (O2.-), since Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activities were increased by azomethine H treatment. This study allows tentative conclusions to be drawn regarding which reactive oxygen metabolites play a role in azomethine H activity. We concluded that (O2.-) maybe produced as a mediator of azomethine H action.