Free Radical Research Paper

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Free radicals contain an electron (e–) as in case of superoxide (•O2–) radical and the hydroxyl radical (•OH) whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a non-radical do not contains electron in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and organic hydroperoxides (ROOH). Radicals can react with other radicals or with non-radicals depending on availability of (e–). Initiation of free radical chain reaction occurs if polyunsaturated fatty acid is attacked by free radicals. This phenomenon occurs due to abundant molecular oxygen (O2) presence which reacts rapidly with free radicals. By-product of normal aerobic metabolites as superoxide radical (•O2–) are produced by addition of one electron to O2 (a univalent reduction of O2). Superoxide radical (•O2–) is a good reducing molecule but it considered as poor oxidising agent. …show more content…

Production of powerful oxidant, peroxynitrite (ONOO–) is considered as ‘reactive nitrogen species’ (RNS). Further this may further produce other reactive species similar to hydroxyl radical (•OH) however not always interaction between superoxide radical (•O2–) and nitric oxide (NO•) results in biologically harmful effect. During many enzymatic reaction, SOD-catalysed dismutation form O2 and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or it is formed by spontaneously reduction of two molecules of (•O2–). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) & superoxide radical (•O2–) enters into the cells in the same way as H2O enters. In the presence of transition metal ions like low molecular mass iron or copper,

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