Porphyrins with Phenolic Fragments at the Periphery of the Macrocycle as Perspective Antioxidants, Cytoprotectors and Heavy Metal Scavengers

The past few decades witnessed intense research devoted to the antioxidant activity of porphyrins. We review herein recent results of the studies of a series of porphyrins with antioxidant phenol groups in meso positions and an in vitro and in vivo study of their protective effects on free radical-induced damage of biological substances. The antioxidant activity of para -hydroxy-substituted meso -tetraphenylporphines and their metal complexes are summarized. The radical scavenging activity of porphyrins in relation to toxic species, including the highly reactive oxygen species is considered. The protective effects of these porphyrins have been proved in model reactions as well as in vitro and in vivo studies. A special attention is addressed to the polyfunctional porphyrins capable of preventing the toxicity of heavy metals due to antioxidant as well as scavenging ability.