Biochemical Physiological Actions
: An antioxidant that exhibits antimicrobial activity. Propyl gallate has been reported to be an effective antioxidant-based hepatoprotector, both in vitro and in vivo. It has also been shown to prevent neuronal apoptosis and block the death of neurons exposed to FeSO4/GA as well as partially protect endothelial cells against TNF-induced apoptosis. However, propyl gallate induced single strand breaks in DNA at concentrations higher than 0.25 µM when it was combined with copper concentrations at 5 µM and above. Another report, however, found that incubation of isolated rat hepatocytes with propyl gallate at concentrations of >1 mM induced cell killing, whereas, a lower concentration of propyl gallate > 0.5 mM resulted in a ladder formation of soluble low-molecular weight DNA fragments, characteristic of apoptosis.