Antioxidant Properties of the Flavonoids Silybin and (+)-Cyanidanol-3: Comparison with Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene

The antioxidant action of the flavonoids silybin and (+)-cyanidanol-3 was assessed in a peroxidating system formed by linoleate and Fe2+. A drastic inhibition of Fe2+-induced linoleate peroxidation was achieved by silybin and (+)-cyanidanol-3, an effect that was comparable to that elicited by butylated hydroxytoluene or butylated hydroxyanisole. The antioxidant properties of both flavonoids may explain some of their experimental and therapeutical effects as cytoprotective drugs.