Significant Anti-Inflammatory Properties of a Copper(II) Fenoprofenate Complex Compared with its Parent Drug. Physical and Chemical Characterization of the Complex

The synthesis, physicochemical characterization, anti-inflammatory properties and catecholase mimetic activity of the dinuclear complex of copper(II) with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Fenoprofen [2-(3-phenoxyphenyl) propionic acid] with formula [Cu-2(fen)(4)(dmf)(2)] (fen = fenoprofenate anion, dmf = N,N-dimethylformamide) have been investigated. Results of spectroscopic analysis (FTIR and EPR) as well as thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis data obtained for the solid complex are in good agreement with its dinuclear structure. Electronic spectra of the product are also reported and discussed. The complex was tested for anti-inflammatory properties in comparison to the parent drug, Fenoprofen calcium salt. Oral administration of the dinuclear compound inhibited development of carrageenan-induced oedema in mice; this inhibition was higher than that observed for the parent drug. The kinetic study of the catecholase mimetic activity was carried out spectrophotometrically by monitoring the oxidative transformation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol into the corresponding light-absorbing o-quinone. Kinetic parameters were determined employing the Michaelis-Menten model, showing that the new complex presents catechol oxidase mimetic activity.