SOD-like Activity of Copper Salicylate Complex in Tween Micellar Systems

Copper salicylate-ethanol complex was synthesized and its composition was analysed. The four surfactants (Tween-20, Tween-40, Tween-60, Tween-80) were purified. Their critical micelle concentrations (CMC) in phosphate buffer (pH=7.4) were measured. The SOD-like activity of copper salicylate complex was assayed using the cytochrome-c reduction method. The scavenging effects of the four surfactants on O(2)(-). and.OH were investigated. The cooperative effect of the complex with surfactants and micelles was studied in detail. An activity enhancement of the complex was observed in the presence of surfactants. The four surfactants themselves display SOD-like activities to a certain extent. It was shown that the complex and the four surfactants have apparently positive cooperative actions and similar results were obtained in the experiment for anti-lipid peroxidation of red cell membrane. These results might be explained by the fact of micellar catalysis and the copper salicylate-Tween system was suggested to be used as anti-inflammatory drugs.