Pharmacological activities of a propylthiouracil compound structurally modified by coordination with copper(II)

AbstractFor the first time, pharmacological activities for propylthiouracil (actually used as antithyroid drug) were determined. In addition, a new propylthiouracil copper(II) complex ([Cu(PTU)2]2) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, EPR, UV–visible, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies including elemental analysis, dissolution profiles, and stability studies. Taking into account the correlation between Graves’ disease and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other free radicals, the ligand and the complex were tested for their antioxidant effects on O2·− and OH· radicals. A significant increase in the disruption of OH· radical was observed for PTU and its copper(II) complex, but neither of them have the ability to dismutate the O2·− radical. Antimicrobial activities were also determined observing that the complex is very active against Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, the ability of PTU and its complex to inhibit acid and alkaline phosphatases were analyzed. Results showed that...