Chemicals and Drugs

Superoxides

Highly reactive compounds produced when oxygen is reduced by a single electron. In biological systems, they may be generated during the normal catalytic function of a number of enzymes and during the oxidation of hemoglobin to METHEMOGLOBIN. In living organisms, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE protects the cell from the deleterious effects of superoxides.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Highly reactive compounds produced when oxygen is reduced by a single electron. In biological systems, they may be generated during the normal catalytic function of a number of enzymes and during the oxidation of hemoglobin to METHEMOGLOBIN. In living organisms, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE protects the cell from the deleterious effects of superoxides.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

See Also

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Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Superoxide
  • Superoxide Anion
  • Superoxide Radical

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

1994; was SUPEROXIDE 1975-1993 (see under OXYGEN 1975-1983)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Anions (1974)
  • Oxygen (1974)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 312

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Superoxides. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D013481. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D013481
  2. Superoxides. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superoxide
  3. Superoxides. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q413283