A Metallo Pro‐Drug to Target CuII in the Context of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease and oxidative stress are connected. In the present communication, we report the use of a Mn(II)-based superoxide dismutase mimic ([MnII(L)]+, 1+) as a pro-drug candidate to target Cu(II) associated events, i.e. Cu(II)-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide aggregation. Complex 1+ is able to remove Cu(II) from Aβ, stop ROS and prevent alteration of Aβ aggregation as would do the corresponding free ligand LH. Using 1+ instead of LH in further biological applications would have the double advantage to avoid the cell toxicity of LH and to benefit from its proved SOD-like activity.