Antioxidant effect of homogentisic acid on hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in human lung fibroblast cells

Homogentisic acid was found to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and thus prevented lipid peroxiclation in human fibroblast (Wl 38) cells. The radical scavenging activity of homogentisic acid was found to protect Wl 38 cells against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative stress, via the activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) protein. Homogentisic acid increased the activity of catalase. Hence, from the present study, it is suggested that homogentisic acid protects Wl 38 cells against H2O2 damage by enhancing the intracellular antioxidative activity.