Dinuclear copper(II) complexes of Fenoprofen: synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal, and SOD-mimic activity studies

Three dinuclear copper(II) complexes with the anti-inflammatory drug Fenoprofen [Hfen, 2-(3-phenoxyphenyl)propionic acid] and nitrogen donors of general formula [Cu-2(fen)(4)(L)](n) were prepared from [Cu-2(fen)(4)(dmf)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O (1) [dmf = N,N'-dimethylformamide; L = 4,4'-bipyridine (2), pyrazine (3), and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (4)]. The new complexes were characterized by chemical analysis, spectroscopic, and thermogravimetric techniques. Antioxidant properties of 1-4 were evaluated for superoxide-dismutase-mimic activity employing the XTT method. Complex 2 presented the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.260 mu mol L-1). Anti-inflammatory properties of 2 were evaluated employing carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice, revealing that the Fenoprofen-copper(II) complex containing 4,4'-bipyridine does not present enhanced anti-inflammatory activity compared to the uncomplexed parent drug Fenoprofen calcium salt.