Theoretical investigations on the antioxidant potential of a non-phenolic compound thymoquinone: a DFT Approach

Abstract Thymoquinone (TQ) is a natural compound occurred in black cumin ( Nigella sativa L.), which possesses potent antioxidant activity without having any phenolic hydroxyl group believed to be responsible for antioxidant activity of a molecule. In the present study, computational calculation based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) have been executed to assess systematically the worth of antioxidant behavior of this compound. Geometrical characteristics, HOMO-LUMO and MEP surface have been studied. Thermochemical parameters correlated to the leading antioxidant mechanisms such as HAT, SETPT and SPLET have been studied in gas and water media. In addition, the changes of thermochemical parameters such as ∆G and ∆H have been computed for HA from TQ to hydroxyl radical in gas and water phases to investigate its free radical scavenging potency. The low and comparable values of BDE, PDE, IP, PA and ETE suggest the antioxidant activity. The ∆G and ∆H also convey apposite thermodynamic evidence in favor of antiradical capability of TQ. The attack of the free radical takes place preferentially at 3CH position of the molecule.