Novel Copper-Based Therapeutic Agent for Anti-Inflammatory: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biochemical Activities of Copper(II) Complexes of Hydroxyflavone Schiff Bases

Four hydroxyflavone derivatives have been synthesized with the aim of obtaining a good model of superoxide dismutase. Better to mimic the natural metalloenzyme, copper complexes have been designed. The Cu(II) complexes of general formulae, [CuL] where L = 5-hydroxyflavone-o-phenylenediamine ((LH2)-H-1)/m-phenylenediamine ((LH2)-H-2) and 3-hydroxyflavone-o-phenylenediamine ((LH2)-H-3)/m-phenylenediamine ((LH2)-H-4) have been synthesized. The structural features have been determined from their analytical and spectral data. All the Cu(II) complexes exhibit square planar geometry. Redox behavior of copper complexes was studied and the present ligand systems stabilize the unusual oxidation state of the copper ion during electrolysis. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the investigated compounds were tested against the bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia bataicola, and Candida albicans. Superoxide dismutase and anti-inflammatory activities of the copper complexes have also been measured and discussed.