Orally active antioxidative copper(II) aspirinate: synthesis, structure characterization, superoxide scavenging activity, and in vitro and in vivo antioxidative evaluations

Synthesis, characterization and potent superoxide dismutase-like activity of novel bis(pyrazole)-2,2'-bipyridyl mixed ligand copper(II) complexes

Eleven new complexes of Cu(II) chloride and nitrate with bis(pyrazol-1-yl)propane and bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]ether ligands were prepared and characterized by spectral and electrochemical methods. X-Ray crystal structure determination of bis[2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]etherdinitratocopper revealed a hepta-coordinated structure with the bis(pyrazole) ligand coordinated in a tridentate NNO-fashion and both of the nitrate ions in a bidentate fashion. Reaction of Cu(II) nitrate complexes with 2,2'-bipyridyl led to the displacement of one of the nitrate ions into the outer sphere and the formation of mixed-ligand complexes. Mixed-ligand bipyridyl Cu(II) complexes demonstrated the highest superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity in a chemical superoxide anion-generating system, with IC(50) values in the low micromolar range. Density functional theory calculations showed that introduction of a bipypidyl ligand into the complexes dramatically lowered the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level, which explains the increased SOD-like activity of these complexes compared to non-bipy species. These bipy complexes were also effective scavengers of reactive oxygen species generated by phagocytes (human neutrophils and murine bone marrow leukocytes) ex vivo. Thus, these bipy mixed-ligand complexes represent a promising class of SOD mimetics for future development.

Improvement of aging-associated cardiovascular dysfunction by the orally administered copper(II)-aspirinate complex

BACKGROUND

Aging-associated nitro-oxidative stress causes tissue injury and activates proinflammatory pathways that play an important role in the pathogenesis of aging-associated cardiovascular dysfunction. It has been recently reported, that the copper(II)-aspirinate complex (CuAsp) exerts not only the well-known anti-inflammatory and platelet antiaggregating effects of aspirin, but, due to its superoxide dismutase mimetic activity, it acts as a potent antioxidant as well. In this study we investigated the effects of CuAsp on aging-associated myocardial and endothelial dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Aging and young rats were treated for 3 weeks with vehicle, or with CuAsp (200 mg/kg per day per os). Left ventricular pressure-volume relations were measured by using a microtip pressure-volume conductance catheter, and indexes of contractility (e.g., slope of end-systolic pressure-volume relationships [ESPVR] [E(es)], and dP/dt(max) - end-diastolic volume [EDV]) were calculated. In organ bath experiments for isometric tension with isolated aortic rings, endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation were investigated by using acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. When compared to the young controls, aging rats showed impaired left ventricular contractility (E(es), 0.51 +/- 0.04 vs. 2.16 +/- 0.28 mmHg/microL; dP/dt(max) - EDV, 10.71 +/- 2.02 vs. 37.23 +/- 4.18 mmHg/sec per microL; p < 0.05) and a marked endothelial dysfunction (maximal relaxation to acetylcholine: 66.66 +/- 1.30 vs. 87.09 +/- 1.35%; p < 0.05). Treatment with CuAsp resulted in reduced nitro-oxidative stress, improved cardiac function (E(es), 1.21 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.04 mmHg/microL; dP/dt(max) - EDV, 23.40 +/- 3.34 vs. 10.71 +/- 2.02 mmHg/sec per microL; p < 0.05) and higher vasorelaxation to acetylcholine in aging animals (94.83 +/- 0.73 vs. 66.66 +/- 1.30%; p < 0.05). The treatment did not influence the cardiovascular functions of young rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular dysfunction in the aging organism, which can be reversed by CuAsp.

Suppressive effect of orally administered copper(II)-aspirinate (Cu2(asp)4) complex on the generation of reactive oxygen species in the skin of animals subjected to UVA exposure

As reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its mimetic complexes have been intensively studied. Recently, we found that Cu(2)(aspirinate)(4) (Cu(2)(asp)(4)) has both in vitro and in vivo antioxidative activities. We investigated the suppressive effect of Cu(2)(asp)(4) on ROS generation in the skin of hairless mice that were orally administered Cu(2)(asp)(4) and followed by UVA exposure. The results were compared with those obtained from mice that were orally administered Cu(salicylate)(2) (Cu(sal)(2)) or Cu(acetate)(2), (Cu(ace)(2)) and followed by UVA exposure. After confirming that Cu(2)(asp)(4) suppressed ROS generation in the skin, we measured both SOD activity and metallothionein (MT) and SOD protein levels in the whole proteins extracted from the skin of ICR mice that were orally administered Cu(II) compounds. The Cu(2)Zn(2)-SOD activity was enhanced by the administration of Cu(II) compounds; however, no alterations in the protein levels of MT and SOD were observed. Metallokinetics of the paramagnetic Cu(II) species in the circulating blood of rats, as estimated by electron spin resonance (ESR), revealed that among the Cu(II) compounds, the residence time of the Cu(II) species from Cu(2)(asp)(4) was the longest. On the basis of these results, we conclude that Cu(2)(asp)(4) is an orally potent antioxidative compound that suppresses ROS generation in the skin. The residence time of Cu(II) in the blood and the enhanced SOD activity in the skin following the oral administration of Cu(2)(asp)(4) support this conclusion. Here, we propose that Cu(2)(asp)(4) may be used to protect the skin against ROS generation.

Synthesis, characterization and antioxidant activity of naringenin Schiff base and its Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) complexes

A new ligand, naringenin-2-hydroxy benzoyl hydrazone (H(5)L), was prepared by condensation of naringenin with 2-hydroxy benzoyl hydrazine. Its Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) complexes have also been synthesized and characterized on the basis of (1)H-NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectra, elemental analyses, molar conductivity and thermal analyses. The general formula of these complexes was M(H(3)L) [M=Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)]. In addition, the antioxidant activities (superoxide and hydroxyl radical) of the free ligand and its complexes were determined in vitro. These compounds were found to possess potent antioxidant activity and be better than standard antioxidants like vitamin C and mannitol. In particular, the Cu(II) complex displayed excellent activity on the superoxide radical.

Molecular structure, bioavailability and bioactivity of [Cu(o-phen)2(cnge)](NO3)2.2H2O and [Cu(o-phen)(cnge)(H2O)(NO3)2] complexes

Two Cu(II) complexes with cyanoguanidine (cnge) and o-phenanthroline, [Cu(o-phen)(2)(cnge)](NO(3))(2).2H(2)O (1) and [Cu(o-phen)(cnge)(H(2)O)(NO(3))(2)] (2), have been synthesized using different experimental techniques and characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR, diffuse and UV-vis spectra and EPR and magnetic moment measurements techniques. The crystal structures of both complexes were solved by X-ray diffraction methods. Complex (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a=12.621(5), b=31.968(3), c=15.39(1)A, beta=111.68(4) degrees, and Z=8 and complex (2) in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a=10.245(1), b=13.923(2), c=12.391(2)A, beta=98.07(1) degrees, and Z=4. The environments of the copper(II) center are trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) for [Cu(o-phen)(2)(cnge)](2+) and an elongated octahedron for [Cu(o-phen)(cnge)(H(2)O)(NO(3))(2)]. Solution studies have been performed to determine the species distribution. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of both complexes have also been tested in order to determine if these compounds mimic the enzymatic action of the enzyme SOD that protects cells against peroxide radicals.