COPPER(II) COMPLEXES OF N-SALICYLIDENEGLU TAMATE TYPE AS SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE MIMETICS

Copper(II) complexes of tridentate Schiff bases derived from salicylal dehyde and glutamic acid containing water or diazoles as additional li gands were proved to be superoxide dismutase mimetics. The superoxide dismutase mimetic activity of the complexes [Cu(sal-L-glu)(H2O)(2)].H2 O, Cu(sal-D,L-glu).3H(2)O, [Cu(sal-L-glu)X], [Cu(sal-D,L-glu)X], (X = imidazole, pyrazole or 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) was tested at pH = 7.8 an d the enzymatic xanthine-xanthine oxidase system was used to generate superoxide. The influence of albumin, EDTA, catalase and mannitol on t he activity of the Cu(ll) complexes was also studied.