The antioxidant action of tamoxifen and its metabolites Inhibition of lipid peroxidation

The anti‐oestrogen drug tamoxifen is an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes and in phospholipid liposomes. Its cis isomer and N ‐desmethyl form are weaker inhibitors, but 4‐hydroxytamoxifen is much more powerful. It is possible that the antioxidant property of tamoxifen might contribute to its biological actions.