Pulse radiolysis study of the reactions of catechins with nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide (•NO2), one of the oxidizing radicals formed in vivo is suspected to play a role in various pathophysiological processes. The reactions of •NO2 with dietary catechins, the group of flavonoids present in high amounts in green tea and red wine, have been investigated by pulse radiolysis method. The kinetics of the reaction of •NO2 with gallic acid have been also studied for comparison. The spectra of transient intermediates are presented. The rate constants of the reaction of •NO2 with catechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and gallic acid determined by the competition method with 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) at pH 7.0 and room temperature have been found to be 0.9, 1.0, 2.3 and 0.5×108 M−1 s−1, respectively. The values for catechins are among the highest reported for the reactions of •NO2 with non-radical compounds.

Highlight► Reaction kinetics of catechins with NO2 is studied by the competition method. ► Catechins are excellent NO2 scavengers. ► Epigallocatechin gallate is the best NO2 scavenger among investigated catechins.