Zinc-oxaprozin compounds: Synthesis, structure and biological activity

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like oxaprozin are widely used for pain and inflammation.
• Metal complexes offer unique properties for drug development, including altered pharmacokinetics and enhanced activity.
• Zinc is an essential trace element with diverse biological roles, making its complexes attractive for therapeutic exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel zinc complexes with oxaprozin and N,N'-donor heterocyclic ligands.
• To investigate the antioxidant potential of these new zinc complexes.
• To explore the DNA binding and serum albumin interaction capabilities of the synthesized complexes.

Main Methods:

• Physicochemical characterization, including single-crystal X-ray crystallography.
• Spectroscopic analyses (UV-vis) to study complexation and DNA binding.
• In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, hydroxyl, ABTS radical scavenging).
• DNA interaction studies (viscosity measurements, ethidium bromide displacement).
• Serum albumin binding studies.

Main Results:

• Four novel zinc complexes, [Zn(oxa)2(MeOH)4] (1), [Zn(oxa)2(H2O)(bipy)]·MeOH·2.5H2O (2·MeOH·2.5H2O), [Zn(oxa)2(bipyam)]·1.25MeOH (3·1.25MeOH), and [Zn(oxa)2(phen)] (4), were successfully synthesized and structurally elucidated.
• Oxaprozin ligands coordinated to the zinc ion in either monodentate or bidentate chelating modes.
• The complexes demonstrated significant in vitro antioxidant activity by scavenging various free radicals.
• Evidence suggests the complexes bind to calf-thymus DNA via intercalation and interact with serum albumins.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized zinc-oxaprozin complexes possess promising antioxidant and DNA-binding properties.
• The observed interactions with DNA and serum albumin indicate potential for targeted delivery and therapeutic efficacy.
• These novel coordination compounds represent a new class of metallodrugs with potential applications in treating inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases.