Antioxidant properties of β-carbolines

Abstract

In general all β-carbolines can be considered as molecules with antioxidant properties. On the one hand chemically, for radical consuming reasons, because of the reactivity of the indole part towards oxygen derived radicals, on the other hand enzymatically, because of monoamine oxidase inhibition. Hydrogenation of the pyridine part to tetrahydro- and dihydro-β-carbolines, as well as hydroxylation to phenolic derivatives will usually increase the chemically directed antioxidant capacity. Some studies conclude that the antioxidant activity of β-carbolines might yield into cell- and tissue protective actions including neuroprotection.