Protection of HeLa cells against ROS stress by CuZnSOD mimic system.

A new copper zinc complex (CZpbi), [(bipyridinyl)Cu-μ-pbi-Zn(pbi)](ClO), pbi = 2-(2-pyridyl)-benzimidazole, was synthesized to mimic copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). CZpbi was then encapsulated onto a dye (fluorescein isothiocyanate, FITC) functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) where MSN serves as a nanofactory platform for delivering the catalytic action of the center copper complex. We examined the inhibition of oxidative damage of HeLa cells in the presence of paraquat (PQ, 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride, an oxidative stressor).