Antioxidant properties of carvedilol: inhibition of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and superoxide generation.

Oxidative stress has been suggested to be an etiological factor in cerebro- and cardiovascular disorders. We examined antioxidant activities of carvedilol, a beta- and alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker. Carvedilol suppressed lipid auto-oxidation and protein carbonyl formation in brain homogenate in a dose-dependent manner. Carvedilol also suppressed superoxide generation of human neutrophils. These properties of carvedilol should be suitable for treating hypertension resulting in cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases.