Evaluation of Membrane Permeability of Copper-Based Drugs

Abstract

Membrane permeability of copper complexes with potential anti-inflammatory activity were measured using an artificial membrane in a modified Franz cell. Using CuCl2 as the control, all the ligands tested enhanced the diffusion of copper, with enhancement factors ranging from 2 to 7. Octanol/water partition coefficients (log Ko/w) were measured and correlated with the permeability coefficients (Kp). In addition, chemical speciation was used to determine the predominant complex in solution at physiological pH. No correlation was found between the measured permeability coefficients and either molecular weight (MW) or log Ko/w.