Generation of radical anions of nitrofurantoin, misonidazole, and metronidazole by ascorbate.

Nitrofurantoin, misonidazole, and metronidazole were reduced to their corresponding nitro anion radicals by ascorbate in anaerobic solutions at high pH. The nitrofurantoin anion radical could be detected at neutral pH. In neutral solutions, the nitro anion radicals of misonidazole and metronidazole were too unstable to be observed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. At neutral pH, solutions containing ascorbate, nitrofurantoin, or misonidazole consumed oxygen. The addition of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or both superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased the rate of oxygen consumption. These results show that nitro anion radicals are formed by reduction with ascorbate, and superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide are produced by reactions of these radicals with oxygen.