Synthesis, structural elucidation and antiradical activity of a copper (II) naringenin complex.

Coupling the extraction and derivatization of flavonoids to the Citrus processing industry is attractive from both the environmental and economic points of view. In the present work, the flavonoid naringin, obtained by "green" extraction with a water:ethanol mixture from waste grapefruit industry, was hydrolyzed to obtain naringenin. This flavonoid was used to synthesize the complex trans-di(aqua) bis(7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-5-chromanolato) copper (II). This compound was characterized by spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, IR, Raman, NMR and EPR), and by thermal analysis (TG and DSC). Then, a monocrystal of the complex obtained by dissolution and recrystallization in DMF was analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This is the first report of the crystal structure of a Citrus flavonoid complex. Additionally, its antiradical activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was determined and compared with that for naringenin, demonstrating that coordination to copper enhances the antiradicalar activity of naringenin. According to the Mulliken population analysis conducted, by copper favors the delocalization and stabilization of the produced radical, since it acts as an electronic density acceptor.

Prunin- and hesperetin glucoside-alkyl (C4-C18) esters interaction with Jurkat cells plasma membrane: consequences on membrane physical properties and antioxidant capacity.

Prunin (P)- and hesperetin glucoside (HG)-alkyl esters are lipid-soluble compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities in vitro. The effects of P- and HG-alkyl (C4-C18) esters (0.1-100µM) on human leukemia T (Jurkat) cells viability and plasma membrane fluidity were evaluated. After 1h of exposure, cell viability was not affected in the range 0.1-10µM. The decrease of cell viability found at 100µM concentration depended on the length of the alkyl chain and reached a maximum with C6-C12 derivatives. At this concentration, cell hyperpolarization and shrinkage were also observed. Cell plasma membrane fluidity was not affected, regardless the depths of the membrane level evaluated, but mild changes in plasma membrane hydration were found. Esterification did not affect the antioxidant capacity of P and HG (0.1-10µM) against 1mM H2O2. When exposed to 1mM AAPH, P-alkyl esters retained P antioxidant capacity, but HG-derivatives acted as pro-oxidants. Together, present experimental evidences suggest that short term exposures to 0.1-10µM concentrations of P- and HG-alkyl (C4-C18) esters can be considered safe for cultured human cells, and further studies are required to investigate their long term effects, as well their safety for human consumption.