Inhibition of xanthine oxidase — xanthine — iron mediated lipid peroxidation by eugenol in liposomes

The effect of eugenol on xanthine oxidase (XO) xanthine(X)-Fe+3-ADP mediated lipid peroxidation was studied in liver microsomal lipid liposomes. Eugenol inhibited the lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner as assessed by formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. When tested for its effect on XO activity per se, (by measuring uric acid formation) eugenol inhibited the enzyme to an extent of 85% at 10 µm concentration and hence formation of O2 also However, the concentration of eugenol required for XO inhibition was more in presence of metal chelators such as EDTA, EGTA and DETAPAC, but not in presence of deferoxamine, ADP and citrate. The antiperoxidative effect of eugenol was about 35 times more and inhibition of XO was about 5 times higher as compared to the effect of allopurinol. Eugenol did not scavenge O2 generated by phenazine methosulfate and NAD but inhibited propagation of peroxidation catalyzed by Fe2+ EDTA and lipid hydroperoxide containing liposomes. Eugenol inhibits XO-X-Fe+3 ADP mediated peroxidation by inhibiting the XO activity per se in addition to quenching various radical species. (Mol Cell Biochem 166: 65-71, 1997)