Nicaraven is an antioxidant that exhibits hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in vitro. Nicaraven (1-3 mg/kg per min, i.v.) reduces occurrence of chronic cerebral vasospasms in a dose-dependent manner in a canine model of subarachnoid hemorrhage. In a canine model of warm hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury, nicaraven (2 mg/kg per min, i.v.) reduces liver enzyme release and inhibits lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration in the liver. Nicaraven (100 mg/kg per day, i.p.) also decreases plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokines Il-6 and Tnf-α and the urinary levels of 8-oxo-2''-deoxyguanosine, a marker of DNA oxidation, in a mouse model of radiation-induced injury.
