Antioxidant potential of zinc-flavonol complex studied in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Background: Diabetic oxidative stress coexists with a reduction in the antioxidant status, which can further increase the deleterious effects of free radicals. Zinc is an essential trace element with significant antidiabetic activity. However, the acceptance of zinc compounds as promising therapeutic antidiabetic agents has been slowed due to concerns regarding chronic toxicity.

Design, synthesis and characterization of zinc-3 hydroxy flavone, a novel zinc metallo complex for the treatment of experimental diabetes in rats.

Zinc is essential in the physiology of insulin and has prominent roles in the structural and functional aspects of insulin. Most of the zinc complexes so far tested for their antidiabetic potential exerts significant toxicity. Hence, the development of zinc complexes with various ligands in order to reduce the toxicity of zinc continues.