Lung hemorrhagic toxicity of butylated hydroxyanisole in the rat

Butylated hydroxyanisole inhibits the growth of HeLa cervical cancer cells via caspase-dependent apoptosis and GSH depletion

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant is commonly used as a preservative in food and pharmaceutical agents. Despite the assumed low toxicity of BHA, it exerts a variety of effects on tissues and cell functions. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of BHA on the growth inhibition and death of HeLa cervical cancer cells. Dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth was observed with an IC(50) of approximately 150 μM BHA at 24 h. In addition, this agent-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)) and caspase activation. Caspase-3 and -8 inhibitors markedly rescued HeLa cells from BHA-induced cell death. In addition, BHA decreased intracellular ROS levels in HeLa cells whereas it increased O(2)(∙-) levels among ROS. The number of glutathione (GSH)-depleted cells was increased in 150 μM BHA-treated cells, which was attenuated by caspase inhibitors. In conclusion, BHA inhibited the growth of HeLa cells via caspase-dependent apoptosis, which seemed to be related to increase in GSH depletion and O(2)(∙-) level.

An ortho dimer of butylated hydroxyanisole inhibits nuclear factor kappa B activation and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae

Butylated hydroxyanisole, BHA, is widely used as a potent antioxidant, but its adverse effects such as carcinogenesis and proinflammatory activity have been reported, which are possibly due to the prooxidant property of this compound. We recently demonstrated that the dimer of 2-methoxyphenols exhibits cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition, because of lessening of its prooxidant property caused by the dimerization. In the present study, toward our goal of developing a chemopreventive agent for chronic periodontal diseases, we examined whether 2-BHA (2-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol) and its synthetic ortho dimer, bis-BHA (3,3'-di-tert-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol) could inhibit the Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbria-stimulated inflammatory reaction. The fimbria-induced expression of interleukin-1beta and neutrophil chemoattractant KC genes in RAW264.7 murine macrophages was strongly inhibited by bis-BHA. In contrast, 2-BHA showed only slight inhibition. bis-BHA also significantly inhibited the fimbria-stimulated phosphorylation-dependent degradation of the alpha inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB and the transcriptional activity of this factor in the cells. These findings suggest that bis-BHA possesses anti-inflammatory activity against chronic periodontal diseases.

Antioxidant Properties of Some Medicinal Plants: Prangos ferulacea (Apiaceae), Sedum sempervivoides (Crassulaceae), Malva neglecta (Malvaceae), Cruciata taurica (Rubiaceae), Rosa pimpinellifolia (Rosaceae), Galium verum subsp. verum (Rubiaceae), Urtica dioica (Urticaceae)

Antioxidant and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities, reducing powers and the amount of total phenolic compounds of aqueous and/or methanolic extracts of some medicinal plants used in Eastern Turkey were studied. These plants are Prangos ferulacea (CASIR), Sedum sempervivoides (HOROZ LELESI), Malva neglecta (EBEMGUMECI), Cruciata taurica (SARILIK OTU), Rosa pimpinellifolia (KOYUN GOZU), Galium verum subsp. verum (MADAVUR OTU), Urtica dioica (ISIRGAN). The highest peroxidation inhibitions were shown by aqueous extracts of C. taurica and R. pimpinellifolia (IC(50): 0.00022 mg/l and IC(50): 23 mg/l, respectively). However, the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power and the amount of phenolic compounds were shown by R. pimpinellifolia. The lowest antioxidant properties were shown by aqueous extract of M. neglecta.

Radical production and cytotoxic activity of tert-butyl-substituted phenols

2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol (TBP)-related compounds are used for stabilizing plastics by making them resistant to oxidation. However, the cytotoxic activity of these compounds has not yet been established. TBP produced phenoxyl radicals at pH >or= 9.0 and 2,4-di-t-butylphenol (DBP) at pH 12.5, but 3,3',5,5'-tetra-t-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol (bisDBP) did not, using ESR spectroscopy. Both superoxide anion radical (O(2)(-)) scavenging activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production activity declined in the order of TBP > DBP > bisDBP. The cytotoxic activity against human oral tumor cell lines (HSC-2, HSG) and human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF) declined in the order of DBP >> bisDBP = TBP = TBP-OOH (2,4,6-tri-t-butyl-4-hydroperoxy-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-one). The cytotoxic activity of TBP, but not of DBP or bisDBP was significantly enhanced after visible light (VL)-irradiation for 10 min. The cytotoxicity of irradiated TBP was significantly higher than that of either original TBP or TBP-OOH, the oxidative metabolite of TBP, possibly due to the formation of TBP stable radical and ROS via oxidation. In contrast, the cytotoxic activity of DBP and bisDBP was independent of radical production, and therefore, may be intrinsic. A non-enzymatic oxidation decomposition of DBP or TBP was estimated from the formation of reaction enthalpy (DeltaH) using a modified neglect of diatomic overlap, parametric method 3 (MNDO-PM3) semi-empirical method, suggesting that O(2) is capable of activating DBP to a reactive quinone or dimer and that TBP phenoxyl radicals via oxidation directly affect extra- or intracellular bioactive materials, resulting in the induction of cytotoxicity.

Haemorrhagic toxicity of a large dose of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherols, ubiquinone, beta-carotene, retinol acetate and L-ascorbic acid in the rat

Antioxidants occasionally have become prooxidants when a large amount was ingested. The haemorrhagic toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene, a synthetic antioxidant, may involve such a mechanism. This study investigated whether haemorrhage is induced by overdoses of tocopherols, beta-carotene, ubiquinone or L-ascorbic acid, which are representative biological antioxidants. Male Jcl:SD rats (six rats/group) were fed d-alpha, d-beta, d-gamma or d-delta-tocopherols, ubiquinone Q-10, beta-carotene or retinol acetate at a level of 0.5%, or L-ascorbic acid at 5% in the diet for 7 days. Only two rats given retinol acetate died with lung haemorrhages. Haemorrhages were observed in five or six, six, one, one, one or one of six surviving rats given d-alpha, d-beta or d-gamma-tocopherols, ubiquinone Q-10, beta-carotene or retinol acetate, respectively (except for a retinol group in which four rats survived). Major haemorrhages were noted in the epididymis. In the alpha-, beta- and gamma-tocopherol, ubiquinone Q-10, beta-carotene or retinol acetate-treated groups, prothrombin and kaoline-activated partial thromboplastin time indices were 26-28, 37, 59, 42, 63 and 65% or 27-28, 35, 65, 38, 59 and 28%, respectively, of the control values. Only the prothrombin index was significantly decreased to 67% in delta-tocopherol-administered rates, whereas controls and those receiving L-ascorbic acid showed no signs of bleeding or coagulation defect. The same tendency was also seen in the decreasing effect on vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation factors. These results suggest that the four naturally occurring tocopherols have a tendency to cause haemorrhage in the order of alpha > beta > gamma > delta, and ubiquinone Q-10 and beta-carotene als0o have relatively strong and weak haemorrhagic effects, respectively, with regard to prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time indices.

[Toxicology of the synthetic antioxidants BHA and BHT in comparison with the natural antioxidant vitamin E]

The toxicology of the food preservatives butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) as well as the naturally occurring vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is described. In high dosages all three compounds induce in animals impairment of blood clotting, which can be explained by an antagonism with vitamin K. Specific toxic effects to the lung have only been observed with BHT. The other described toxic effects of BHA and BHT are less characteristic and often occur only after high dosage and long-term treatment. However, BHA induces in animals tumours of the forestomach, which are dose dependent, whereas BHT induces liver tumours in long-term experiments. Because there is no indication of genotoxicity of BHA and BHT, all published findings agree with the fact that BHA and BHT are tumour promoters. In contrast to BHA and BHT, vitamin E is not carcinogenic. On the other hand, all three antioxidants have also anticarcinogenic properties. The intake of the necessary high doses as for these effects are, however, contraindicated with BHA and BHT because of their carcinogenic effects. The present overview concludes that the concentrations of BHA and BHT nowadays used in food, drugs and cosmetics are probably harmless. In addition, vitamin E can also be used in higher doses without the occurrence of adverse effects.

Butylated hydroxyanisole in perspective

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic food antioxidant used to prevent oils, fats and shortenings from oxidative deterioration and rancidity. This review depicts the current knowledge on BHA. The physical and chemical characteristics of BHA are summarized and its function as a food antioxidant is made clear. The toxicological characteristics of BHA and its metabolic fate in man and animal are briefly reviewed. Special emphasis is laid on the carcinogenicity of BHA in the forestomach of rodents and to related events in the forestomach and other tissues in experimental animals. At present there is sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity of BHA, but there is hardly any indication that BHA is genotoxic. Therefore risk assessment for this epigenetic carcinogen is based on non-stochastic principles. However, the mechanism underlying the tumorigenicity of BHA is not known. In the last part of this review an attempt is made to unravel the unknown mechanism of carcinogenicity. It is hypothesized that BHA gives rise to tumor formation in rodent forestomach by inducing heritable changes in DNA. Evidence is being provided that reactive oxygen species, in particular hydroxylradicals, may play a crucial role. The key question with respect to risk assessment for BHA is whether or not the underlying mechanism is thresholded, which is important for the choice of the appropriate model to assess the risk, if any, for man and to manage any potential risk.

Free radical intermediates during peroxidase oxidation of 2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, and related phenol compounds

2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA) and 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) are widely used antioxidant food additives that are generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. Previously reported studies have suggested that the ip LD50 of BHA may be as much as 2 orders of magnitude lower than its oral LD50. Metabolic activation of BHA to reactive intermediates possibly may be responsible for this result and may be related to other reported toxic effects. BHT has been reported to cause haemorrhagic lung damage and possible hepatocarcinogenicity in test animals. The present studies report investigations by electron spin resonance spectroscopy of free radical metabolites of BHA, BHT and related compounds. The primary, unstable phenoxy free radical of BHA has been generated by oxidation with horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide and detected by ESR spectroscopy. A scheme has been proposed for the peroxidatic oxidation of BHA. The ESR spectrum of the di-BHA dimer, one product of BHA oxidation, has been observed, analyzed, and reported. ESR studies have been extended to other phenol derivatives structurally related to BHA and suspected to be substrates for peroxidase. Similarly it has been found that BHT and structurally related phenols are substrates for peroxidation by horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide. In agreement with previous chemical and biochemical studies, it has been found that ortho-disubstituted phenols are oxidized to more stable phenoxy radicals than are ortho-monosubstituted phenols. The ESR hyperfine coupling constants for the phenoxy radicals studied are in agreement with those for similar radicals produced by chemical oxidation. Attention has been drawn to the biochemical and toxicological implications of these and related studies of BHA and BHT peroxidation.