Biochemical Evaluation of Copper Compounds Derived from O- and N-/O- Donor Ligands

Compounds [CuII2(benz)4(Hbenz)2] (1) and [CuII(ppa)2(H2O)2]n (2), where benz = benzoate and ppa = 3-pyridinepropionic acid, were synthesized and studied for their 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and the inhibition of enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), lipoxygenase (LOX), urease, chymotrypsin and α-glucosidase. The synthesized compounds were also studied by hemolytic method for their cytotoxicity and found to be low-toxicity substances. For AChE inhibition, compound 2 showed IC50 = 31.22 ± 0.45 μM, as compared to compound 1with IC50 = 36.52 ± 0.44 μM. Both compounds showed comparably low activity against BChE and were also active against urease, but compound 1 exhibited selective anti-urease activity. The anti-α-glucosidase activity of both compounds was comparable with that of standard drug used.