High antioxidative potential and low toxic effects of selenosemicarbazone metal complexes

Abstract

Novel metal-based compounds with therapeutic potential have become the subject of intense investigations in inorganic chemistry and biomedical science. Recently, strong dose-dependent cytotoxic activities of selenosemicarbazone metal complexes against several human cancer cell lines were demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro antioxidative potential of Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) selenosemicarbazone complexes. All three investigated complexes exhibited high 2,2́-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS•+) scavenging capacity, comparable with ascorbic acid. In an acute toxicity study, administration of the compounds was performed orally to mice at single doses. The mice were observed for clinical signs, body weight effects and mortality for 14 days, after which they were sacrificed for gross organ necropsy. The body weight did not vary after administration, and the autoptic analysis failed to show appreciable macroscopic alterations of internal organs. Generally, the compounds exhibited low toxic effects as required for further in vivo therapeutic studies.