Structural effects on the hesperidin properties obtained by chelation to magnesium complexes

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Bioinorganic Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Hesperidin, a natural flavonoid, possesses antioxidant properties but has limited bioavailability.
• Developing metal complexes can enhance the physicochemical and biological properties of bioactive ligands.
• Understanding solvent effects on complex stability and function is crucial for biological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel magnesium-hesperidin-phenanthroline complex, [Mg(hesp)2(phen)].
• To investigate the influence of solvent on the complex's properties.
• To evaluate the complex's solubility, electrochemical behavior, radical scavenging activity, and cellular uptake.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization using Elemental Analysis, Atomic Absorption, FTIR, UV-Vis, and 1H NMR.
• Solubility and lipophilicity measurements (aqueous solubility, log P).
• Electrochemical studies (cyclic voltammetry) and radical scavenging assays (superoxide radical).
• Fluorescence microscopy for cellular uptake studies in HeLa cells.

Main Results:

• The magnesium complex [Mg(hesp)2(phen)] was successfully synthesized and characterized.
• The complex exhibited significantly higher hydrosolubility and liposolubility than free hesperidin.
• It demonstrated superior radical scavenging activity against superoxide radicals compared to hesperidin and vitamin C.
• The complex showed strong blue fluorescence, altered by solvent polarity, and was readily taken up by HeLa cells.

Conclusions:

• The magnesium complex enhances hesperidin's solubility and antioxidant capacity.
• Its fluorescence properties and cellular uptake suggest potential as a probe for hesperidin's biological activity.
• Solvent-dependent properties offer opportunities for targeted delivery and function modulation.