Luminescent quenching of riboflavin excited state and protective effects on carotenoids radical by magnesium complexes containing hesperidin and poliphenols

Abstract

Mitochondrias are organelles essentials for the life and death of the cell, participating of the cellular energy metabolism as well as in the control of programmed cell death. In this project we chose to develop mitochondria-targeted antioxidants because the respiratory chain is the major source of reactive oxygen species in vivo, and mitochondrial oxidative damage is the cause or lead to worsening of many chronic diseases. For this reason, we are preparing metal complexes of the type cis-[Mg (L) 2 (phenX)], where phenX = 1,10-phenanthroline derivatized with lipophilic organic dyes (resourufin and rhodamine) and L are phenolic acids: ferulic acid, isovanilic and gallic acid. The phenolic acids are natural antioxidants to protect mitochondria from oxidative damage in vivo. Magnesium is an essential element in biologic medium particularly in ATP synthesis by mitochondria. The phenanthroline-derivatized dyes to enhance uptake because of their lipophilic character and luminescent properties that favors mitochondria selectivity. The therapeutic potential of these complexes and free phenolic acids will be assessed in relation to bioavaiabilitiy (solubility, lipophilicity), antioxidant activity and toxicity in vitro and in vivo for comparison purposes and investigates the neuroprotective effects of the antioxidant compounds proposed in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.We hope that this research will open new possibilities for the development of more selective compounds and therefore less toxic antioxidants to be used as therapeutic agent and diagnostic tools allowing real-time physiological data collection. (AU)