Anti- and pro-oxidant properties of sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate (Mesna)

Abstract

The •OH and the NO2• radicals generated pulse radiolytically in N2O-saturated aqueous solution at pH 8–8.5 oxidize Mesna to form the corresponding thiyl radicals which on reaction with thiolate ions form an RSSR•− type of transient with λmax = 420 nm. The rate constants for the formation of these transients were determined. In the absence of O2 at pH=6, the RS• radicals formed show an absorption maximum at 360 nm and an e=200±50 dm3 mol−1 cm−1. The rate constant k (•OH+RSH) was 6×109 dm3 mol−1 s−1 as determined from competition kinetics. In the presence of O2 the Mesna thiyl radical was seen to rapidly add oxygen to form an RSOO• type of species with λmax = 535 nm, e=700±50 dm3 mol−1 cm−1 and k (RS•+O2)=1.3×108 dm3 mol−1 s−1. Both the RS• and the RSOO• radicals formed by the oxidation of Mesna were able to abstract H-atoms from ascorbate ions and k(RS• +AH−)=~k(RSOO•+AH−)=~6−7×108 dm3 mol−1 s−1-. Moderately strong oxidants like CCl3OO• and the (CH3)3CO• radicals, having a reduction potential of +1.4−1.6 V vs NHE were unable to oxidize Mesna. The results thus reflect on the pro- and anti-oxidant properties of Mesna.