Free-radical degradation of high-molecular-weight hyaluronan induced by ascorbate plus cupric ions. Testing of bucillamine and its SA981-metabolite as antioxidants

The results indicated that bucillamine was the most efficient scavenger of hydroxyl- and/or peroxyl-type radicals, even at the lowest drug concentration. In contrast, SA981 demonstrated no scavenging activity against the aforementioned free radicals. d-Penicillamine and l-cysteine showed a dual effect, i.e. a pronounced anti-oxidative effect was, after a given time period, followed by a significant pro-oxidative effect.