This review article summarizes recent applications of electrochemical techniques to redox-active drug development and mechanistic studies. It includes a general introduction to the use of electrochemistry in biology, with a focus on how electrochemistry can uniquely provide both kinetic and thermodynamic information. A number of studies are reported from the literature and the authors’ laboratories, including the investigation of reactive oxygen species, biooxidative/bioreductive activation of pro-drugs, and DNA alkylation, with a particular emphasis on quinones and related compounds. Data from techniques ranging from traditional cyclic voltammetry to sophisticated single cell studies are presented. The examples herein presented illustrate how electrochemical, biochemical and medical knowledge can be integrated to develop strategies for the design and development of redox-selective therapeutics.

A preconcentrating/voltammetric multiwalled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNT–GCE) has been developed for stripping analysis of carbendazim (Methyl Benzimidazol-2-yl Carbamate—MBC), based on dispersing MWCNT in water. The effect of experimental variables, such as the dispersion and loading of MWCNT, was assessed. A quasi-reversible behavior for MBC in acetic acid/acetate buffer 0.1 mol L⁻¹ (pH 4.7) was verified and its high effective pre-concentration was attributed to the high adsorption capability and enormous surface area of the MWCNT. No evidence of carry-over effect, combined with the easiness of electrode preparation, led to the development of a highly sensitive and reliable method with an experimental work range from 0.256 to 3.11 µmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 10.5 ppb for a short (60 s) accumulation period. Measurement of MBC in a river water sample was demonstrated. The accuracy of the method for real sample analysis was assessed by estimating the apparent recovery (93 ± 2.9% and 86 ± 4.1% for 4.3 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹) for a MBC spiked river water sample.