Antioxidant effects of serotonin and L-DOPA on neuronal tissues were examined by studying the oxidative damages of brain synaptosomal components. The study further explored the mechanism by which they exert protective actions. Serotonin and L-DOPA (1 μM to 1 mM) significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation of brain tissues by either Fe2⁢ and ascorbate or t-butyl hydroperoxide in a dose dependent fashion. Protective effect of serotonin on the peroxidative actions of both systems was greater than that of L-DOPA. Protein oxidation of synaptosomes caused by Fe2⁢ and ascorbate was attenuated by serotonin and L-DOPA. Protein oxidation more sensitively responded to L-DOPA rather than serotonin. Serotonin and L-DOPA (100 μM) decreased effectively the oxidation of synaptosomal sulfhydryl groups caused by Fe2⁢ and ascorbate. The production of hydroxyl radical caused by either Fe3⁢, EDTA, H2O2 and ascorbate or xanthine and xanthine oxidase was significantly decreased by serotonin and L-DOPA (1 mM). Equal concentrations of serotonin and L-DOPA restored synaptosomal Ca2⁢ uptake decreased by Fe2⁢ and ascorbate, which is responsible for SOD and catalase. Protective effects of serotonin and L-DOPA on brain synaptosomes may be attributed to their removing action on reactive oxidants, hydroxyl radicals and probably iron-oxygen complex, without chelating action on iron.