AGENT FOR ELIMINATING ACTIVE OXYGEN FREE RADICAL

PURPOSE:To obtain a strong eliminating agent for active oxygen free radical (super oxide anion, OH radical or OOH radical) occurring in a metabolic system inn organisms, comprising tannin of condensation type as an active ingredient. CONSTITUTION:Tannin of condensation type especially (-)epicatechin 3-O-gallate or (-)epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate separated from Rheum spp, tea or Japanese persimmon is used as an active ingredient and pharmaceutically manufactured by using a conventional drug carrier by an ordinary procedure to give the aimed substance. The aimed substance can be prepared into a dosage form such as tablet, pill, capsule, solution or injection and a dose is 20-200mg. An active free radical causes various diseases such as inflammation, carcinogenesis, radiation damage, immunity, cataract, arteriosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, aging, convulsion, cerebral apoplexy an diabetes. The agent can eliminate active oxygen which can not be sufficiently removed by existing vitamins E and C having antioxidation.