ABSTRACT
General antioxidant behaviour, namely, reaction with reactive oxygen species sufficed. Later, it was increasingly recognised that each antioxidant has a unique chemical reactivity. The complementary profiles of hydroxytyrosol and Glutathione ensure a protection over a broad spectrum and prevents the intricate antioxidant network becoming unbalanced. The potent antioxidant activity of hydroxytyrosol is also evidenced by protection against oxidative stress-induced damage to several types of cells, such as intestinal epithelial cells, erythrocytes and hepatocytes. Free electrons are not only stabilised within one molecular structure but can also be spread out over various antioxidants that are localised in various cellular compartments. The electron transport chain in mitochondria couples the electron transfer from an electron donor to an electron acceptor. The relatively high antioxidant activity of catechol can be explained by the high electron-donating effect of one hydroxyl group to the other.
