Application

N-tert-Butyl-a-phenylnitrone was used as spin trapping agent during measurement of scavenging rate constant of carotenoid using EPR spin-trapping technique. This reagent helps in obtaining a six-line ESR spectrum and hyperfine coupling constants, confirming the presence of carbon-based radical in uric acid and peroxynitrite, using electron spin resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

Biochem/physiol Actions

N-tert-butyl-A-phenylnitrone (PBN) is a commonly used free-radical spin trap. It has been shown to reduce the number of emboli-induced cerebral microinfarctions in the rabbit cortex and prevent neoplasia by its radical scavenging activity and its ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 activity. Reported to inhibit the induction of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), thereby preventing the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO). PBN in a dose of 100 mg/kg i.p. reduced necrosis of the substantia nigra, pars reticulate in flurothyl-induced status epilepticus in rats. It protects against some types of post-trauma epileptogenic events in an animal model of epilepsy. The lethal dose of PBN in rats was found to be approximately 100 mg/100 g body weight (0.564 mmol/100Åg).