biostudies-literatureUnknown44(11)Caruso FPolyphenols are valuable natural antioxidants present in our diet that likely mitigate aging effects, neurodegenerative conditions, and other diseases. However, because of their poor absorption in the gut and consequent low concentration in biological fluids (µM range), reservations about polyphenol antioxidant efficiency have been raised. In this review, it is shown that after scavenging superoxide radicals, coumarin, chalcone, and flavonoid polyphenols can reform themselves, becoming ready for additional cycles of scavenging, similar to the catalytic cycle in superoxide dismutase (SOD) action. The π-π interaction between one polyphenol ring and superoxide is associated with oxidation of the latter due to transfer of its unpaired electron to a polyphenolic aromatic ring, and consequent foCurrent issues in molecular biology5209-5220https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9689449biostudies-literatureAromatic Polyphenol π-π Interactions with Superoxide Radicals Contribute to Radical Scavenging and Can Make Polyphenols Mimic Superoxide Dismutase Activity.PMC9689449Pedersen JBelli SIncerpi SCaruso FRossi MKaur SfalseAromatic Polyphenol π-π Interactions with Superoxide Radicals Contribute to Radical Scavenging and Can Make Polyphenols Mimic Superoxide Dismutase Activity.Polyphenols are valuable natural antioxidants present in our diet that likely mitigate aging effects, neurodegenerative conditions, and other diseases. However, because of their poor absorption in the gut and consequent low concentration in biological fluids (µM range), reservations about polyphenol antioxidant efficiency have been raised. In this review, it is shown that after scavenging superoxide radicals, coumarin, chalcone, and flavonoid polyphenols can reform themselves, becoming ready for additional cycles of scavenging, similar to the catalytic cycle in superoxide dismutase (SOD) action. The π-π interaction between one polyphenol ring and superoxide is associated with oxidation of the latter due to transfer of its unpaired electron to a polyphenolic aromatic ring, and consequent fo2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-25T21:02:22.874Z2025-04-06T08:34:22.664ZS-EPMC96894493635466610.3390/cimb44110354