4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methylcyclohexane-1,2-diol prevents xenobiotic induced cytotoxicity

Currently there is a great deal of interest in the study of natural compounds with free radical scavenging
activity because of their potential role in maintaining human health and preventing diseases. In this
paper, we report the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of 4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methylcyclohexane-
1,2-diol (HPMCD) isolated from the aqueous extract of Decalepis hamiltonii roots. Our results
show that HPMCD is a potent scavenger of superoxide ðO�� 2 Þ, hydroxyl (�OH), nitric oxide (�NO), and lipid
peroxide (LOO�) physiologically relevant free radicals with IC50 values in nmolar (56–582) range. HPMCD
also exhibited concentration dependent secondary antioxidant activities like reducing power, metal chelating
activity, and inhibition of protein carbonylation. Further, HPMCD at nmolar concentration prevented
CuSO4-induced human LDL oxidation. Apart from the in vitro free radical scavenging activity
HPMCD demonstrated cytoprotective activity in primary hepatocytes and ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT)
cells against oxidative stress inducing xenobiotics. The mechanism of cytoprotective action involved
maintaining the intracellular glutathione (GSH), scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibition
of lipid peroxidation (LPO). Based on the results it is suggested that HPMCD is a novel bioactive molecule
with health implications in both prevention and amelioration of diseases involving oxidative stress
as well as in the general well being.