Anti-inflammatory drugs, copper complexes

Mechanism of Action A heavy metal antagonist that chelates copper, iron, mercury, lead to form complexes, promoting excretion of copper. Combines with cystine-forming complex, thus reducing concentration of cystine to below levels for formation of cystine stones. Exact mechanism for rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. May decrease cell-mediated immune response. May inhibit collagen formation. Therapeutic Effect Promotes excretion of copper, prevents renal calculi, dissolves existing stones, acts as anti-inflammatory drug. 

Table 6.3. Cu(II)2(acetate)4 was found to be active in the initial test (carrageenan paw oedema) for anti-inflammatory activity, but inactive in the two follow-up anti-inflammatory screens (cotton wad granuloma and polyarthritis). Cupric chloride had no activity in any of these models of inflammation. Ligands such as anthranilic acid and 3,5-diisopropylsalicylic acid (3,5-DIPS) which were anticipated to be inactive were found to be so. However, their copper complexes were found to be potent anti-inflammatory agents in all three models of inflammation. These observations supported the notion that complexed copper is a more active anti-inflammatory form of copper and led to the suggestion that copper complexes of active anti-inflammatory agents might be more active than their parent anti-inflammatory drugs.

Continued interest in copper complexes as anti-inflammatory agents and their potential as antiarthritic drugs is evidenced by the number of reviews and symposia proceedings published recently [22, 39-44,133-139]. This selection contains both an historical and an updated review of studies of eopper metal, inorganic compounds, and complexes as anti-inflammatory agents. 

Potent antiulcer activity without ulcerogenic activity [270] coupled with potent anti-inflammatory and an llgesic activities distinguishes copper complexes as a unique class of antiulcer agents, since all other antiulcer drugs do not have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Known copper-dependent biochemical processes can be cited to possibly account for antiulcer activities of copper complexes. 

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