Evaluation of antioxidative effects of twelve 3-substituted-5,5-diphenylhydantoins on human colon cancer cell line HCT-116

Antioxidant effects of twelve 3-substituted-5,5-diphenylhydantoins in concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 µM on human colon cancer cell line HCT-116 were determined 24 h after treatment. The concentrations of superoxide anion radical (O2.-), nitrites (NO2-), and total glutathione were determined spectrophotometrically. Results indicated that treatment with all compounds induced a decrease in O2.- and an increase in NO2- concentrations in HCT-116 cells. Treatment with all compounds resulted in an increase in glutathione, and this indicates changes in redox homeostasis. Based on the obtained results, the investigated hydantoins act as antioxidants because they decrease the production of superoxide anion radical and increase concentrations of glutathione, but they also induce an increase in nitrite production.