Innovative synthesis of zinc and selenium complexes with gallic acid: exploring their antioxidant potential

Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found largely in fruits, vegetables, cereals and beverages.Fruits like grapes, apple, pear, cherries and berries contain up to 200-300 mg polyphenols per 100 grams fresh weight.Among these compounds, gallic acid, (GA), a trihydroxybenzoic acid, stands out for its selective cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines.This study f ocuses on the synthesis and analysis of a new complex of Zn(II) with GA, but also Se(IV) with gallic acid, exploring its comparative antioxidant potential.Materials and methods: The complex, synthesized in a 1:2 molar ratio of GA to zinc acetate dihydrate, respectively sodium selenite pentahydrate, showed various promising therapeutic roles in vitro.GA and zinc both possess antioxidant properties, and their coordination in the complex increases these attributes depending on the concentration.Results: GA, known for its powerful antioxidant effects, outperforms popular antioxidants like ascorbic acid in various tests.The study evaluates the ability of GA to remove reactive species, showing its superior efficiency.In addition, GA and its ester derivatives demonstrate protective effects against lipid peroxid ation, a important process in cellular damage.Conclusions: The synthesized Zn(II) complex, with its structure-activity relationship suggesting Zn(O4) coordination, opens avenues for understanding its antioxidant potential.Overall, this research reveals the multifaceted pha rmacological potential of GA and its complexes, providing insights into their antioxidant e ffects.