Vanadium(IV)-diamine complex with hypoglycemic activity and a reduction in testicular atrophy.

The insulin enhancing activity, histological analysis and, testicular degeneration by a VO-complex containing the 2,2'-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl))diethanolate ligand, VO(CHNO-κN,κO), abbreviated VO(BHED), were investigated in diabetic male Wistar rats. The complex was administered by oral gavage of freshly prepared solutions of vanadium complex. Biological studies demonstrated that the vanadium complex normalized the elevated glucose levels in male Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and these compounds also avoided common responses in diabetic animals such as weight loss and reduction in the size of the epididymis, prostate, testis and seminal gland. The V NMR and EPR studies showed the formation of VO(BHED) and the oxidation product [VOBHED] with two possible decomposition pathways. In summary, these studies demonstrate that the VO(BHED) complex or its decomposition products show similar effects as insulin in decreasing elevated blood glucose levels.