The antioxidant effects of the butterfly cluster [(μ-SeCH2)2CH(OH)]Fe2(CO)6 on radical-induced oxidation of DNA

Hydrogenases have been researched in detail, but its protective effect on DNA against radical-induced oxidation was not usually found. [(mu-SeCH2)(2)CH(OH)]Fe-2(CO)(6) (SFOH) and [(mu-SeCH2)(2)CH(OOCCH3)]Fe-2(CO)(6) (SFOA) were synthesized. The hydroxyl group in SFOH was etherized to form SFOA, in which the potential antioxidant group was the [2Fe2Se] cluster. The antioxidant abilities of SFOH and SFOA together with 1,3-dibromo-2-propanol (DBPO) were compared in 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH)-induced oxidation of DNA. SFOH can protect DNA concentration dependently and scavenge 4.6 radicals in protecting DNA against AAPH-induced oxidation. However, SFOA and DBPO cannot protect DNA. These results revealed that the aliphatic hydroxyl group in [2Fe2Se] cluster was the antioxidant group of SFOH in protecting DNA against AAPH-induced oxidation. However, the [2Fe2Se] cluster can react with H2O2 to form hydroxyl radical ((OH)-O-center dot), which accelerated the oxidation of DNA. Therefore, the special ability of the [2Fe2Se] cluster may be as a functional group in designing organometallic medicines.