An Iron-Based Cytosolic Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase Mimic Complex

The development of metallodrugs with antioxidant activities is of importance as a way to protect organisms exposed to stressful conditions. Although iron chemistry in the presence of H2O2 is usually associated with pro-oxidant activity, mainly via the Fenton reaction, we found that the mononuclear compound [Fe(HPClNOL)Cl2]NO3 (1; C15H18Cl3FeN4O4, a = 8.7751(3) Å, b = 9.0778(4) Å, c = 24.3869(10) Å, β = 93.370(2)°, monoclinic, P21/c, Z = 4), containing the tripodal ligand 1-[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]-3-chloropropan-2-ol, decomposes hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion in vitro as well as shows in vivo protection because it prevents the harmful effects promoted by H2O2 on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation. This protective effect was observed for wild-type cells, as well as for mutant cells, which do not present the antioxidant metalloenzymes catalase (Ctt1) or copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Sod1).