The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2012;1(3): 4-6 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2012.1302
Letter to Editor: Antioxidant Action of Phenols under Heavy Metal Stress
1. Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh- 202002, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Antioxidant action of phenolic compounds is due to their high tendency to chelate metals. Phenolics possess hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, able to bind particularly iron and copper. The roots of many plants exposed to heavy metals exude high levels of phenolics. They may inactivate iron ions by chelating and additionally suppressing the superoxide-driven Fenton reaction, which is believed to be the most important source of ROS. Tannin-rich plants such as tea, which are tolerant to Mn excess, are protected by the direct chelatation of Mn. Direct chelation, or binding to polyphenols, was observed with methanol extracts of rhizome polyphenols from Nympheae for Cr, Pb and Hg.
Phenolic compounds, Antioxidant, Heavy Metal Stress
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