Electron paramagnetic resonance/spin trapping studies were applied, to verify the superoxide radical scavenging activity of two non-toxic, water soluble dihydroquinoline type antioxidants, CH402 (Na-2,2-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline-4-yl methane sulphonate and MTDQ-DA (6,6-methylene bis 2,2-dimethyl-4-methane sulphonic acid: Na-1,2-dihydroquinoline). Results were compared with other indirect methods such as the amperometric, spectrophotometric and luminometric methods, respectively. Both dihydroquinoline type antioxidants scavenged superoxide in vitro specifically. MTDQ-DA scavenged superoxide an order of magnitude faster than CH-402. Neither CH402 nor MTDQ-DA affected the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase superoxide generating system, nor did they inhibit xanthine oxidase directly.