Partition coefficients of the iron(III) complexes of pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone and its analogs and the correlation to iron chelation efficacy

Pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone and its analogs are orally effective Fe(III) chelators which show potential as drugs to treat iron overload disease. The present investigation describes the measurement of the partition coefficient of the apochelator and Fe(III) complex of 20 of these ligands. These measurements have been done to investigate the relationship between lipophilicity and the efficacy of iron chelation in rabbit reticulocytes loaded with non-heme ⁵⁹Fe. The results demonstrate a linear relationship between the partition coefficient (P) of the apochelator and its Fe(III) complex, and a simple equation has been derived relating these two parameters. Experimental data in the literature are in agreement with the equation. The relationship of the partition coefficients of the iron chelators and of their Fe(III) complexes to the effectiveness of the ligands in mobilizing iron in vitro and in vivo is also discussed.     

A study of the mechanism of action of pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone at the cellular level using reticulocytes loaded with non-heme 59Fe

Pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) has recently been identified as a new iron chelating agent with a high degree of iron mobilizing activity in vitro and in vivo which makes this compound a candidate drug in the treatment of iron overload. This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of action of the iron mobilizing activity of PIH at the cellular level. An in vitro system of rabbit reticulocytes with a high level of non-heme ⁵⁹Fe was used as a model of iron overload. The effects of various biochemical and physiological manoeuvers on the mobilization of ⁵⁹Fe by PIH from the cells were studied. The fate of [¹⁴C]-PIH in the in vitro system was also studied. Studies were also carried out using a crude mitochondrial fraction. The results indicate three phases of the iron mobilizing activity of PIH: (1) the entry of PIH into erythroid cells seems to be by passive diffusion; (2) chelation occurs mainly from mitochondria and may depend on the availability of iron in a low molecular weight, non-heme pool. Chelation seems to be enhanced by reduction of Fe (III) to Fe (II); (3) the exit of the PIH₂-Fe complex is an energy-dependent process. Iron mobilization by PIH is not dependent on (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity, external ionic composition, or external hydrogen ion concentration. Membrane fluidity does not seem to play a role in PIH-Fe mobilization. The exit of the PIH₂-Fe complex is inhibited by anti-microtubule agents (vinca alkaloids but not colchicine)_suggesting that the PIH₂-Fe complex is actively extruded from the cell by a microtube-dependent event.     

In vitro antioxidant properties of the iron chelator pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone and some of its analogs

Since there are several problems with desferrioxamine (DFO) therapy, pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) has been studied for more than 10 years as a promising new candidate for iron chelation therapy in iron-overload diseases. Iron chelation could also be helpful for experimental treatment of several other pathologies including rheumatoid arthritis and heart ischemia/reperfusion, due to the generation of oxyradicals and lipid peroxidation mediated by delocalized iron. We demonstrate here that sub-millimolar levels of PIH can inhibit the Fe(III)-EDTA/ascorbate-mediated formation of hydroxyl-like radicals as tested by the release of ethylene from 2-keto-4-methylthiobutyric acid (KMB assay) and the formation of malonaldehyde from 2-deoxyribose damage. PIH could also decrease the rates of Fe(III)-EDTA-mediated oxidation of ascorbate and block the peroxidation of liposomes of rat brain phospholipids induced by ferrous iron-EDTA. In all cases the in vitro antioxidant effectiveness of PIH was comparable to its analogs—including salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone—and to DFO. We conclude that PIH and its analogs are effective new candidates against iron-mediated oxidative stress for use in experimental medicine.     

Syntheses of iron(III) aroyl hydrazones containing pyridoxal and salicylaldehyde. The crystal and molecular structure of two iron(III)-pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone complexes

Iron(III) complexes of three aroyl hydrazones, pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (H₂pih), pyridoxal benzoyl hydrazone (H₂pbh), and salicylaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone (H₂sbh), were synthesized and characterized. In aqueous medium at pH 7, [Fe(pih)(Hpih)]·3H₂O is formed. In acidic methanol, a 1:1 ligand-to-metal complex is formed, [FeCl₂(H₂pih)]Cl (1), whereas in aqueous medium at low pH cis-[FeCl₂(H₂pih)(H₂O)]Cl·H₂O (2) is formed. Compounds 1 and 2 are high-spin d⁵ with μ_eff = 5.88 μ_B and 5.93 μ_B (298 K). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 show that H₂pih acts as a tridentate neutral ligand in which the phenolic and hydrazidic protons have shifted to the pyridine nitrogen atoms. The co- ordination polyhedron of 1 is ‘square’ pyramidal, whereas that of 2 is pseudo-octahedral. Compound 1 is triclinic, space group P$\text{l}$, with a = 12.704(2) Å, b = 8.655(2) Å, c = 8.820(2) Å, α = 105.42(1)°, β = 89.87(1)°, γ = 107.60(1)°, V = 888 ų, and Z = 2; 2 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, with a = 15.358(4) Å, b = 7.304(3) Å, c = 17.442(4) Å, β = 101.00(2)°, V = 1921 ų, and Z = 4.     

The iron chelator pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) and its analogues prevent damage to 2-deoxyribose mediated by ferric iron plus ascorbate

Iron chelating agents are essential for treating iron overload in diseases such as beta-thalassemia and are potentially useful for therapy in non-iron overload conditions, including free radical mediated tissue injury. Deferoxamine (DFO), the only drug available for iron chelation therapy, has a number of disadvantages (e.g., lack of intestinal absorption and high cost). The tridentate chelator pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) has high iron chelation efficacy in vitro and in vivo with high selectivity and affinity for iron. It is relatively non-toxic, economical to synthesize and orally effective. We previously demonstrated that submillimolar levels of PIH and some of its analogues inhibit lipid peroxidation, ascorbate oxidation, 2-deoxyribose degradation, plasmid DNA strand breaks and 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) hydroxylation mediated by either Fe(II) plus H(2)O(2) or Fe(III)-EDTA plus ascorbate. To further characterize the mechanism of PIH action, we studied the effects of PIH and some of its analogues on the degradation of 2-deoxyribose induced by Fe(III)-EDTA plus ascorbate. Compared with hydroxyl radical scavengers (DMSO, salicylate and mannitol), PIH was about two orders of magnitude more active in protecting 2-deoxyribose from degradation, which was comparable with some of its analogues and DFO. Competition experiments using two different concentrations of 2-deoxyribose (15 vs. 1.5 mM) revealed that hydroxyl radical scavengers (at 20 or 60 mM) were significantly less effective in preventing degradation of 2-deoxyribose at 15 mM than 2-deoxyribose at 1.5 mM. In contrast, 400 microM PIH was equally effective in preventing degradation of both 15 mM and 1.5 mM 2-deoxyribose. At a fixed Fe(III) concentration, increasing the concentration of ligands (either EDTA or NTA) caused a significant reduction in the protective effect of PIH towards 2-deoxyribose degradation. We also observed that PIH and DFO prevent 2-deoxyribose degradation induced by hypoxanthine, xanthine oxidase and Fe(III)-EDTA. The efficacy of PIH or DFO was inversely related to the EDTA concentration. Taken together, these results indicate that PIH (and its analogues) works by a mechanism different than the hydroxyl radical scavengers. It is likely that PIH removes Fe(III) from the chelates (either Fe(III)-EDTA or Fe(III)-NTA) and forms a Fe(III)-PIH(2) complex that does not catalyze oxyradical formation.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of cobalt(III) complexes of some aroyl hydrazones: X-ray crystal structures of one cobalt(III) complex and two aroyl hydrazone ligands

Cobalt(III) complexes of diacetyl monooxime benzoyl hydrazone (dmoBH₂) and diacetyl monooxime isonicotinoyl hydrazone (dmoInH₂) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. The X-ray crystal structures of the two hydrazone ligands, as well as that of the cobalt(III) complex [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O, are also reported. It is found that in the cobalt(III) complexes the Co(III) ion is hexa-coordinated, the hydrazone ligands behaving as mono-anionic tridentate O,N,N donors. In the [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O complex, the amide and the oxime hydrogens are deprotonated for both the ligands, while the isonicotine nitrogens are protonated. In the [Co^III(dmoBH)₂]Cl complex, only the amide nitrogens are deprotonated. It is shown that the additional hydrogen bonding capability of the isonicotine nitrogen results in different conformation and supramolecular structure for dmoInH₂, compared to dmoBH₂, in the solid state. Comparing the structure of the [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O with that of the Zn(II) complex of the same ligand, reported earlier, it is seen that the metal ion has a profound influence on the supramolecular structure, due to change in geometrical dispositions of the chelate rings.     

Crystal and molecular structure of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (NIH) and its iron(III) complex: an iron chelator with anti-tumour activity

 Previous studies have demonstrated that 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (NIH) and several other aroylhydrazone chelators possess anti-neoplastic activity due to their ability to bind intracellular iron. In this study we have examined the structure and properties of NIH and its Fe^III complex in order to obtain further insight into its anti-tumour activity. Two tridentate NIH ligands deprotonate upon coordination to Fe^III in a meridional fashion to form a distorted octahedral, high-spin complex. Solution electrochemistry of [Fe(NIH–H)₂]⁺ shows that the trivalent oxidation state is dominant over a wide potential range and that the Fe^II analogue is not a stable form of this complex. The fact that [Fe(NIH–H)₂]⁺ cannot cycle between the Fe^II and Fe^III states suggests that the production of toxic free-radical species, e.g. OH ^. or O₂ ^{. –}, is not part of this ligand's cytotoxic action. This suggestion is supported by cell culture experiments demonstrating that the addition of Fe^III to NIH prevents its anti-proliferative effect. The chemistry of this chelator and its Fe^III complex are discussed in the context of understanding its anti-tumour activity. Received: 12 November 1998 / Accepted: 9 February 1999     

A new peroxidase color reaction: oxidative coupling of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) with its formaldehyde azine. Application to glucose and choline oxidases

Hydrogen peroxide in the presence of horseradish peroxidase effects the oxidative coupling of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone with its formaldehyde azine to form a tetraazapentamethine dye. The blue chromophore, when formed at pH 3.5 and quenched with acetone or 1 N hydrochloric acid, has an extinction coefficient of 69 +/- 2 or 55 +/- 2 mM-1 cm-1, respectively. This chromogen system has been adapted for enzymatic determinations of hydrogen peroxide and of glucose in the 10- to 45-nmol range and of choline in the 5- to 20-nmol range.     

Molecular modeling of the complexes between Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the ATP analogs pyridoxal 5'-diphosphoadenosine and pyridoxal 5'-triphosphoadenosine. Specific labeling of lysine 290

Molecular mechanics calculations have been employed to obtain models of the complexes between Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) kinase and the ATP analogs pyridoxal 5-diphosphoadenosine (PLP-AMP) and pyridoxal 5-triphosphoadenosine (PLP-ADP), using the crystalline coordinates of the ATP-pyruvate-Mn²⁺-Mg²⁺ complex of Escherichia coli PEP carboxykinase [Tari et al. (1997), Nature Struct. Biol. 4, 990–994]. In these models, the preferred conformation of the pyridoxyl moiety of PLP-ADP and PLP-AMP was established through rotational barrier and simulated annealing procedures. Distances from the carbonyl-C of each analog to -N of active-site lysyl residues were calculated for the most stable enzyme-analog complex conformation, and it was found that the closest -N is that from Lys²⁹⁰, thus predicting Schiff base formation between the corresponding carbonyl and amino groups. This prediction was experimentally verified through chemical modification of S. cerevisiae PEP carboxykinase with PLP-ADP and PLP-AMP. The results here described demonstrate the use of molecular modeling procedures when planning chemical modification of enzyme-active sites.     

Iron (III) induces aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau and its reduction to iron (II) reverses the aggregation: implications in the formation of neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease

Iron as well as aluminum is reported to accumulate in neurons with neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Previously we demonstrated that aluminum (III) shows phosphate-dependent binding with hyperphosphorylated tau (PHFtau), the major constituent of NFTs, thereby inducing aggregation of PHFtau. Herein we report that iron (III) can also induce aggregation of soluble PHFtau. Importantly, for the aggregation of PHFtau to occur, iron in the oxidized state (III) is essential since iron in the reduced state (II) lacks such ability. Furthermore, iron (III)-induced aggregation is reversed by reducing iron (III) to iron (II). Thus the iron-participating aggregation is mediated not only by tau phosphorylation but also by the transition of iron between reduced (II) and oxidized (III) states. Further incubation of insoluble PHFtau aggregates isolated from AD brain with reducing agents produced liberation of solubilized PHFtau and iron (II), indicating that PHFtau in association with iron (III) constitutes the insoluble pool of PHFtau. These results indicate that iron might play a role in the aggregation of PHFtau leading to the formation of NFTs in AD brain.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and DNA-binding studies of the Ln(III) complex with 6-hydroxychromone-3-carbaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone

A novel 6-hydroxy chromone-3-carbaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone ligand (L) and its Ln(III) complexes, [Ln=La(1) and Sm(2)], have been prepared and characterized. The crystal and molecular structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Antioxidative activity tests in vitro showed that L and its complexes have significant antioxidative activity against hydroxyl free radicals from the Fenton reaction and also oxygen free radicals, and that the effect of the La(III) complex 1 is stronger than that of mannitol and the other compounds. The compounds were tested against tumor cell lines including HL-60 and A-549. The data shows that the suppression rate of complexes 1 and 2 against the tested tumor cells are superior to the free ligand (L). The interactions of complexes 1 and 2, and L, with calf thymus DNA were investigated by UV-visible (UV-vis), fluorescence, denaturation experiments and viscosity measurements. Experimental results indicated that complexes 1 and 2, and L can bind to DNA via the intercalation mode, and that the binding affinity of complex 1 is higher than that of complex 2 and of free ligand (L). The intrinsic binding constants of complexes 1 and 2, and L were (7.62+/-0.56)x10(6), (3.70+/-0.47)x10(6) and (2.41+/-0.46)x10(6)M(-1), respectively.     

Synthesis,characterization of some transition metal(II) complexes of acetone <Emphasis Type="Italic">p-</Emphasis>amino acetophenone salicyloyl hydrazone and their anti microbial activity

Complexes of the type [M(apash)Cl] and [M(Hapash)(H2O)SO4], where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II); Hapash = acetone p-amino acetophenone salicyloyl hydrazone have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moments, electronic, ESR and IR spectra, thermal studies (TGA & DTA) and X-ray diffraction studies. The ligand coordinates through two >C=N and a deprotonated enolate group in all the chloro complexes, whereas through two >C=N- and a >C=O group in all the sulfato complexes. The electronic spectra suggest a square planar geometry for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) chloride complexes and an octahedral geometry for the sulfate complexes. ESR data show an isotropic symmetry for [Cu(apash)Cl] and [Cu(Hapash)(H2O)SO4] in solid state. However, ESR spectra of both Cu(II) complexes indicate the presence of unpaired electron in d x2-y2. The X-ray diffraction parameters for [Co(apash)Cl] and [Cu(Hapash)(H2O)SO4] complexes correspond to a tetragonal and an orthorhombic crystal lattices, respectively. Thermal studies of [Co(apash)Cl] complex shows a multi-step decomposition pattern. Most of the complexes show better antifungal activity than the standard miconazole against a number of pathogenic fungi. The antibacterial activity of these complexes has been evaluated against E. coli and Clostridium sp. which shows a moderate activity.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and characterizations of iron(III) and copper(II) complexes with the hydrazone ligand obtained from 2-formyl-pyridine and Girard’s T reagent

The condensation of 2-formyl-pyridine with Girard’s T reagent yields a new hydrazone in the form of an ammonium quaternary salt: [H(2-PyGT)]Cl. This tridentate ligand is readily soluble in water and reacts with iron(III) or copper(II) chlorides to give [Fe(2-PyGT)Cl₃] (1) or [Cu(2-PyGT)Cl₂]·(H₂O) (2) complexes, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray studies in 1 and 2 reveal that the coordination reaction gives rise to the deprotonation of the organic ligand that is coordinated using its NNO donor atoms in the form of a zwitterion species. The coordination spheres around the transition metal ions in complexes 1 and 2 are quite different. In 1, the iron site adopts a distorted octahedral coordination sphere, while the Cu(II) ions in 2 show a distorted tetragonal-pyramid geometry. As expected, the magnetic properties of these compounds reveal only weak antiferromagnetic interaction between spin carriers.     

Metal binding to pyridoxal derivatives. An NMR study of the interaction of Eu(III) with pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxamine phosphate

The solution conformations of pyridoxal-5′ -phosphate and pyridoxamine-5′-phosphate have been investigated using Eu(III) as a nuclear magnetic resonance shift probe. Binding of Eu(III) to pyridoxal phosphate results in the formation of two complexes, at the phosphate group and theo-hydroxy-aldehyde moiety, which are in slow exchange on the nuclear magnetic resonance time-scale. The lanthanide-induced pseudo contact shifts calculated using the McConnell-Robertson equation (J. Chem. Soc. (1950), 22, 1561) are in good agreement with the experimentally observed values for both pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxamine phosphate and lead to a family of closely related conformations. Contribution No. 130 from the Molecular Biophysics Unit.     

Nonenzymatic hydrolysis reactions of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and its related compounds. III: Catalytic aspects of some cobalt(III) complexes in ATP-hydrolysis.

Trichlorodiethylenetriaminecobalt (III), [CoCl3dien], which is provided with three good leaving ligands and, hence, capable of binding ATP in a characteristic mode, accelerated effectively and specifically hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and Pi. A kinetic study of the reaction indicated that the rate of hydrolysis was first order with respect to the concentration of ATP in the presence of an excess of [CoCl3dien]. The rate constant was calculated to be 1.05 X 10(-2) min-1 at pH 4.0 (50 degrees C), corresponding to a catalysis of the hydrolysis of ATP by a factor of 150. The complex possessing one good leaving ligand, chlorotetraethylenepentaminecobalt(III), and that having two of them in trans-position, dichlorobis(dimethylglyoximato)cobalt(III) only slightly enhanced the hydrolysis of ATP. Dichloro-cis-alpha- and dichloro-cis-beta-triethylenetetraminecobalt(III) complexes, which have two good leaving ligands and allow chelation of ATP in their coordination sphere, exhibited fairly good activities, although the hydrolysis reactions of ATP occurred in two modes as ATP leads to ADP + Pi and ATP leads to AMP + PPi. The mechanism of ATP-hydrolysis reaction with [CoCl3dien] was also discussed on the basis of the kinetic data.     

Mechanism and stoichiometry of the redox reaction between iron(III) and caffeic acid

The stoichiometry of the redox reaction of caffeic acid with iron(III) was determined at pH 2.5. A linear increase in the yield of iron(II) was found with increasing iron(III) concentration until reached constant values when iron(III)/caffeic acid molar ratios were higher than 9. The reaction proceeds through two steps each having different rates, and involving intermediates with different redox activities. A mechanism of the redox reaction consistent with our results is proposed.     

Cytotoxic iron chelators: characterization of the structure,solution chemistry and redox activity of ligands and iron complexes of the di-2-pyridyl ketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (<Emphasis Type="Bold">H</Emphasis>PKIH) analogues

Di-2-pyridyl ketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (HPKIH) and a range of its analogues comprise a series of monobasic acids that are capable of binding iron (Fe) as tridentate (N,N,O) ligands. Recently, we have shown that these chelators are highly cytotoxic, but show selective activity against cancer cells. Particularly interesting was the fact that cytotoxicity of the HPKIH analogues is maintained even after complexation with Fe. To understand the potent anti-tumor activity of these compounds, we have fully characterized their chemical properties. This included examination of the solution chemistry and X-ray crystal structures of both the ligands and Fe complexes from this class and the ability of these complexes to mediate redox reactions. Potentiometric titrations demonstrated that all chelators are present predominantly in their charge-neutral form at physiological pH (7.4), allowing access across biological membranes. Keto–enol tautomerism of the ligands was identified, with the tautomers exhibiting distinctly different protonation constants. Interestingly, the chelators form low-spin (diamagnetic) divalent Fe complexes in solution. The chelators form distorted octahedral complexes with Fe^II, with two tridentate ligands arranged in a meridional fashion. Electrochemistry of the Fe complexes in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions revealed that the complexes are oxidized to their ferric form at relatively high potentials, but this oxidation is coupled to a rapid reaction with water to form a hydrated (carbinolamine) derivative, leading to irreversible electrochemistry. The Fe complexes of the HPKIH analogues caused marked DNA degradation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This observation confirms that Fe complexes from the HPKIH series mediate Fenton chemistry and do not repel DNA. Collectively, studies on the solution chemistry and structure of these HPKIH analogues indicate that they can bind cellular Fe and enhance its redox activity, resulting in oxidative damage to vital biomolecules.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at .Abbreviations DFO desferrioxamine - HPKIH di-2-pyridyl ketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone - HNIH 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone - HPCIH 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone - HPIH pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone - L linear DNA - OC open circular DNA - SC supercoiled DNA     

Formation of stable and metastable porphyrin- and corrole-iron(IV) complexes and isomerizations to iron(III) macrocycle radical cations

Oxidations of three porphyrin-iron(III) complexes (1) with ferric perchlorate, Fe(ClO₄)₃, in acetonitrile solutions at −40 °C gave metastable porphyrin-iron(IV) diperchlorate complexes (2) that isomerized to known iron(III) diperchlorate porphyrin radical cations (3) when the solutions were warmed to room temperature. The 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), 5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP), and 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrin (OEP) systems were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. Low temperature NMR spectroscopy and effective magnetic moment measurements were possible with the TPP and TMP iron(IV) complexes. Reactions of two corrole systems, 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole (TPFC) and 5,15-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-10-p-methoxyphenylcorrole (BPFMC), also were studied. The corrole-iron(IV) chlorides reacted with silver salts to give corrole-iron(IV) complexes. The corrole-iron(IV) nitrate complexes were stable at room temperature. (TPFC)-iron(IV) toslyate, (TPFC)-iron(IV) chlorate, and (BPFMC)-iron(IV) chlorate were metastable and rearranged to their electronic isomers iron(III) corrole radical cations at room temperature. (TPFC)-iron(III) perchlorate corrole radical cation was the only product observed from reaction of the corrole-iron(IV) chloride with silver perchlorate. For the metastable iron(IV) species, the rates of isomerizations to the iron(III) macrocycle radical cation electronic isomers in dilute acetonitrile solutions were relatively insensitive to electron demands of the macrocyclic ligand but reflected the binding strength of the ligand to iron. Kinetic studies at varying temperatures and concentrations indicated that the mechanisms of the isomerization reactions are complex, involving mixed order reactivity.     

Physicochemical study of floranol, its copper(II) and iron(III) complexes, and their inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation

The antioxidant activity of floranol (3,5,7,2'-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone), a new flavonoid isolated from the roots of Dioclea grandiflora, was evaluated by the inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Floranol increased its oxidation lag-phase significantly in a dose-dependent manner. As the antioxidant mechanism may involve metal coordination, we have undertaken a detailed study of floranol interactions with Cu(II) and Fe(III) by combination of UV-visible (UV-Vis) and mass spectrometries and cyclic voltammetry. The acidity constants of the ligand as well as the stability constants of the metal complexes were calculated. The pKa values of 6.58, 11.97 and 13.87 were determined and the following acidity order is proposed 7-OH>5-OH>2'-OH. The best fit between experimental and calculated spectra was obtained assuming the formation of two Cu(II) complexes: [CuL] logbeta=19.34+/-0.05 and [CuL(2)](2-) logbeta=26.4+/-0.10 and three Fe(III) complexes: [FeL(3)](3-) logbeta=44.72+/-0.09, [FeL(2)](-) logbeta=35.32+/-0.08 and [FeL](+) logbeta=19.51+/-0.04. In addition, copper and iron reduction is less favorable in the presence of floranol. These results indicate that floranol can efficiently bind Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions thus preventing their effect on LDL oxidation.