Abstract: The ability of water soluble β-alanine C₆₀ adducts for superoxide anion radical scavenging has been studied by spectrophotometry and the modified pyrogallol auto-oxidation method. It is found that β-alanine C₆₀ adducts have an excellent efficiency in eliminating superoxide radical generated from auto oxidation of pyrogallol. At a mass concentration level of 150 μg/mLfor β-alanine C₆₀ adducts, the radical scavenging efficiency is approximately equivalent to one enzyme unit, in vitro experiments show that β-alanine C₆₀ adducts can enhance the activity of mouse thymus cells and prolong their life time span. It reveals the potential use of these β-alanine C₆₀ adducts as the novel potent free radical scavengers in biological systems.

Key words: β-Alanine C₆₀ adducts, Superoxide radical, Auto-oxidation of pyrogallol, Thiazolyl blue