Superoxide dismutase activity of the salicylate-iron complex.

BACKGROUND

Scavenging of superoxide radical by salicylate-iron complex was studied to determine whether or not the salicylate-iron complex was able to catalyze the dismutation of superoxide radicals, the result perhaps yielding an explanation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the drug.

METHODS

The scavenging was studied with an assay that generates O2.- without the intervention of metal ions.

RESULTS

Results indicated that, in the presence of iron, salicylate was able to bring about the catalytic dismutation of the superoxide radical. The rate of superoxide removal was dependent on both the concentration of iron and the salicylate:iron molar ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

These results may help to explain the interaction of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with free radicals and the anti-inflammatory properties of these agents, inasmuch as accumulating evidence indicates that much of the injury observed during inflammatory disorders may be mediated by oxidative stress frequently induced by iron-dependent reactions.