Toxicity of polyphenols against rat 3Y1 fibroblasts and the cells transformed by human adenovirus (Ad12-3Y1), its EIA gene (EIA-3Y1), or simian virus 40 (SV-3Y1) was examined. Among the diphenol compounds examined, pyrocatechol (o-diphenol) and hydroquinone (p-diphenol) showed selective toxicity against Ad12-3Y1 and EIA-3Y1 cells, while resorcinol (m-diphenol) showed a much weaker non-specific toxicity against these cells. Another o-diphenol (dopamine) and triphenols (gallic acid and pyrogallol) were less toxic but showed selective toxicity. At lower concentrations where they were not toxic, all polyphenols attenuated toxicity of phosphatidylcholine against EIA-3Y1 cells. Among antioxidants examined, ascorbic acid reduced the toxicity of pyrocatechol, but alpha-tocopherol and butyrated hydroxytoluene did not. Oxidation of pyrocatechol was not enhanced in the presence of 3Y1 or EIA-3Y1 cells and their homogenates. These results suggest that the selective toxicity of polyphenols against Ad12-3Y1 and E1A-3Y1 cells is not related to their oxidation velocity but other factors such as the activity of active oxygen-scavenging enzymes.

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