Effects of various polyphenolics on hydrogen peroxide-induced p53 activity in NIH3T3 cells.

A cell-based assay system was developed to evaluate the potential antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects of various dietary polyphenolic compounds based on the induction of p53 activity by hydrogen peroxide. A p53-luciferase reporter vector was stably transfected into NIH3T3 cells. Individual clones were isolated, and one clone (number 33) was selected that showed the highest induction levels with different generators of free radicals.