451-13-8

1. Homogentisic acid (2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) shows interesting antioxidant and antiradical activities, and protective effect against thermal-cholesterol degradation, comparable to those of well known antioxidants. 2. Homogentisic acid is the primary precursor of melanin synthesis in Vibrio cholerae, a Hyphomonas strain, and Shewanella colwelliana. 3. A derivative of homogentisic acid which inhibits Pfnek-1 with an IC(5) around 1.8 muM, this product is moderately active in vitro against a FcB1 P. falciparum strain (IC(5) = 12 muM).