Reduced Schiff-base derivatives to stop reactive oxygen species production by the Cu(A β ) species: a structure–activity relationship

A β is the peptide involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Its binding to the redox copper ions and the subsequent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributing to the overall oxidative stress observed in the disease is among the deleterious effects A β may have. Here seven reduced Schiff-base ligands were studied for their ability to stop Cu(A β )-induced ROS production. The spectroscopic UV–vis and EPR characterizations of the Cu(II) complexes are reported as well. While all the ligands except one are able to stop Cu(A β )-induced ROS, only two maintain this ability in the presence of the endogenous Zn ions, due to kinetic competitiveness.