In aqueous medium etiolated wheat seedlings release superoxide anion (O2*-). Interaction of a synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, ionol), with oxygen in the aqueous medium is accompanied by O2*- formation. This suggests that under certain conditions BHT behaves as a prooxidant. A natural antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and also a wound healing preparation, emulsified denatured placenta (EDP), do not exhibit the prooxidant properties. In contrast to BHT, they reduce O2*- production by the etiolated wheat seedling system.