Determination of superoxide dismutase-like activity in some divalent metal saccharinates.

The superoxide-dismutase-like activity of a series of divalent metal saccharinates of general stoichiometry [MII(Sac)2(H2O)4].2H2O (with MII = Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn) has been investigated using the nitroblue tetrazolium O2- reduction assay. The results show that all these complexes possess the capability to dismutate the superoxide anion generated in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. Interestingly, the greatest activity is shown by the corresponding copper complex. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained for native superoxide dismutase, which was tested under the same experimental conditions.