Transition metal complexes of diclofenac with potentially interesting anti-inflammatory activity

An overview is given of the results of metal ion-diclofenac interactions. Several complexes have been synthesized at the University of Ioannina. Binuclear complexes, Cu(L)2(H2O)]2 x 2H2O and CuL2(S)]2 where S is H2O, EtOH, DMSO, (CH3)2CO and DMF, and mononuclear complexes, MnL2(H2O)], FeL2(H2O)2], CoL2(H2O)2] x 0.5H2O, CoL2(H2O)], NiL2(H2O)2] x 2H2O, NiL2] and PdL2] x 2H2O, have been characterized by spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and electrochemical studies. The catalytic activity of these complexes was correlated to the reduction potential. Some of the complexes of diclofenac exhibit very promising anti-inflammatory activity and act as antioxidant compounds, a property that is absent from diclofenac.