Mechanism of Biochemical Action of Substituted 4-Methylbenzopyran-2-ones. Part I: Dioxygenated 4-Methyl Coumarins as Superb Antioxidant and Radical Scavenging Agents Original Research Article

Twenty-three 4-methylcoumarins bearing different functionalities have been examined for the first time for their effect on NADPH-catalysed liver-microsomal lipid peroxidation with a view to establish structure–activity relationship. Dihydroxy- and diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarins produced dramatic inhibition of lipid peroxidation. 7,8-Diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin and 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin were found to possess superb antioxidant and radical scavenging activities.