Computational Study of -Substituent Effects on Antioxidant Activities of Phenolic Dendritic Antioxidants.

Antioxidants are an important component of our ability to combat free radicals-an excess of which leads to oxidative stress, which is related to aging and numerous human diseases. Oxidative damage also shortens the shelf-life of foods and other commodities. Understanding the structure-activity relationship of antioxidants and their mechanisms of action is important for designing more potent antioxidants for potential use as therapeutic agents as well as preservatives.