SYNTHESIS, TOXICITY AND IMMUNOMODULATING ACTIVITY OF CO(II), NI(II), CU(II) AND ZN(II) COMPLEXES OF -2,3,5,6-TETRAHYDRO-6-PHENYLIMIDAZO[2,1-B]THIAZOLE (LEVAMISOLE)

Co (II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of levamisole (LMS) were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, H-1 and C-13 NMR and mass spectrometry. The following general formula was derived: M(LMS)(2)Cl-2, where M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn. It was established that LMS behaved as a monodantate ligand and the coordination was acco mplished through the N-7 atom. The toxicity and the immunomodulating a ctivity of the complexes on mice and rats in comparison with uncomplex ed LMS was assayed. The metals in the complexes exerted different chan ges in the toxicity of LMS. The complex containing Zn(II) was less tox ic and manifested higher immunomodulating activity than LMS.