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Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including cancer, athlerosclerosis, cataracts and neurodegenerative disorders [1, 2]. During oxidative stress prooxidants such as the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, have the potential to generate other reactive oxygen species. This may result in a radical chain reaction leading to extensive formation of phospholipid hydroperoxides which ultimately cause damage to tissues and macromolecules [3, 4]. Lipid peroxidation products can also cause DNA damage [5]. Hence, the prevention of lipid peroxidation is an essential process in all aerobic organisms. A wide array of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant defences exist, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, ascorbic acid, a-tocopherol, glutathione and j3-carotene [6]. One of the most important antioxidant enzymes in the defence against oxidative destruction of …