Superoxide dismutase activity of the salicylate-iron complex

Background Scavenging of superoxide radical by salicylate-iron complex was studied to determine whether or not the salicylate-iron complex was able to catalyze the dismutation of superoxide radicals, the result perhaps yieldi ng an explanation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of th e drug. Methods. The scavenging was studied with an assay that generates O-2(.-) wi thout the intervention of metal ions. Results. Results indicated that, in the presence of iron, salicylate was ab le to bring about the catalytic dismutation of the superoxide radical. The rate of superoxide removal was dependent on both the concentration of iron and the salicylate:iron molar ratio. Conclusions. These results may help to explain the interaction of nonsteroi dal anti-inflammatory drugs with free radicals and the anti-inflammatory pr operties of these agents, inasmuch as accumulating evidence indicates that much of the injury observed during inflammatory disorders may be mediated b y oxidative stress frequently induced by iron-dependent reactions. (C) 1999 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.