Antioxidative activity of histochrome and some other drugs used in ophthalmology

: The antioxidative activity (AOA) of histochrome (2,3,5,6,8-pentahydroxy-7-ethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) and some other drugs with antioxidant properties used in ophthalmology has been studied in the hemoglobin--hydrogen peroxide--luminol system. The AOA of histochrome, ascorbate, dicinon, rutin, quercetin, and dihydroquercetin is comparable to that of trolox, the reference antioxidant in our studies. The drugs (in physiological concentrations) listed above are characterized by a high AOA. Cerebrolysin was 300 times less active than trolox, and emoxipin showed no antioxidant properties. Lacrimal AOA increased after a parabulbar injection of histochrome. Histochrome is believed to be a perspective antioxidant for the treatment of ocular diseases.