High antioxidative potential and low toxic effects of selenosemicarbazone metal complexes

Abstract

Novel metal-based compounds with therapeutic potential became the subject of intense investigation in inorganic chemistry and biomedical science. Recently, strong dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines of selenosemicarbazone metal complexes was demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro antioxidative potential of Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) selenosemicarbazone complexes. All three investigated complexes exhibited high ABTS radical scavenging capacity, comparable with ascorbic acid. In the acute toxicity study, administration of the compounds was performed orally to the mice at the single doses and they were observed for clinical signs, body weight effects, and mortality for 14 days after which they were sacrificed for gross organ necropsy. Body weight did not vary after administration, and the autoptic analysis failed to show appreciable macroscopic alterations of internal organs. Generally, the compounds exhibited low toxic effects as required for further in vivo therapeutic studies. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 451-03-2372-IP type 1/79: Antioxidants based on selenium complex compounds - research and development]

Keywords

• Ni(II)
• Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes
• selenosemicarbazones
• antioxidative activity
• in vivo toxicity