Electrochemical oxidation of 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine at solid electrodes

Abstract

The electrochemical oxidation of indolic neurotoxin 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine has been studied at solid electrodes in <em>p</em>H 7.2 phosphate buffer. The oxidation of 5,6-DHT occurs in one 2e,2H⁺ step associated with adsorption complications at glassy carbon and pyrolytic graphite electrodes, whereas, purely diffusion controlled electrode process has been observed at platinum electrode. The analysis of cyclic voltamrnograms indicated the process to be an EC mechanism. The major product of oxidation has been isolated by using HPLC and has been identified as 2, 7'-bi(5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine). The intracranial injection of 2, 7’-bi(5, 6-DHT) in albino mice has been found to produce a substantial neurotoxic effect.