Zingerone as an antioxidant against peroxynitrite

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-), formed from the reaction of superoxide ((center dot)0(2)(-)) and nitric oxide ((NO)-N-center dot), induces cellular and tissue injury, resulting in several human diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis. Due to the lack of endogenous enzymes responsible for ONOO- scavenging activity, finding a specific ONOO- scavenger is of considerable importance. In this study we examined the scavenging effects of zingerone from ginger against ONOO-, intracellular RS (reactive species), and ONOO-. The data show that zingerone can efficiently scavenge native ONOO- as well as ONOO- derived from the peroxynitrite donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1). Zingerone inhibited the formation of ONOO--mediated tyrosine nitration through electron donation, nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by ONOO-, and intracellular RS and ONOO-. The present study suggests that zingerone has an efficient ONOO- scavenging ability, which may be a potent ONOO- scavenger for the protection of the cellular defense activity against ONOO-- involved diseases.