One-electron reduction significantly enhances the ability of anthralin, 1, to act as a hydrogen atom donor. On annealing of an MTHF glass in which the radical anion of anthralin, 1 •-, is generated radiolytically, this species decays mainly by loss of H • to give the anthralyl anion, 2 -. On the other hand, radicals formed on radiolysis of matrices that are suitable for the generation of radical anions or cations are capable to abstract H• from anthralin to give the anthralyl radical, 2 • . Both 2 -and 2 • are obtained simultaneously by mesolytic cleavage of the radical anion of the anthralin dimer. Contrary to general assumptions, the anthralyl radical is found to be much more reactive toward oxygen than the anion. All intermediates are characterized spectroscopically and by reference to quantum chemical calculations. Attempts to generate the radical cation of anthralin by X-irradiation of an Ar matrix containing anthralin led also to significant formation of its radical anion, i.e., anthralin acts apparently as an efficient electron trap in such experiments.

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The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), adenosine precursor, in 37 patients suffering from psoriasis. As NAD⁺ is known to be relatively unstable, the second goal was to establish the proper conditions for the satisfactory stability of topical NAD⁺ composition. In each patient, two matching plaques were selected for the study. Topical treatment with 1 or 0.3% NAD⁺ in Vaseline ointment administered twice daily was compared with overnight therapy with 0.1% anthralin applied for 12 h and placebo. The enzymatic method was applied to determine the stability of NAD⁺ in Vaseline ointment. After a 4-week application, the reduction in erythema, infiltration and desquamation caused by 1 or 0.3% topical NAD⁺ composition was similar to the reduction caused by 0.1% anthralin. It was demonstrated that NAD⁺ underwent a considerable decomposition at room temperature, while it was sufficiently stable at 5°C; thus, for a longer use the agent should be stored at fridge temperature. NAD⁺ therapy combines good efficacy, cosmetic acceptability and convenient twice-daily application.

It is claimed that novel beta-adrenolytic drugs possess superior antioxidant properties as compared to classical selective or non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. Here we tested this notion by analyzing radical scavenging properties of selected beta-adrenolytic drugs and their ability to release nitric oxide in biological preparations. Selective beta1-adrenolytics such as nebivolol, atenolol, metoprolol and non-selective beta-adrenolytics with alpha1-receptor blocking properties such as carvedilol and labetalol were chosen for analysis. NO-releasing properties of nebivolol and carvedilol distinguished third generation beta-adrenolytics from their older counterparts while the reactivity towards hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals discerns only carvedilol but not nebivolol. Thus, superior clinical efficacy of third generation beta-adrenolytics may be related to their ability to release NO rather then to their direct antioxidant properties.