Metal-chelating properties of carvedilol: An antihypertensive drug with antioxidant activity

Carvedilol (CarvH) (1-[carbazolyl-(4)-oxyl]-3-[2-methoxyphenoxyethyl)-amino]-2-propanol, an antihypertensive agent with β-blocker function, has been shown to act as an antioxidant. The antioxidative properties can be correlated with metal chelating ability of the drug. Iron(III), zinc(II), and copper(II) complexes of carvedilol were synthesized and characterized with respect to their structural and spectroscopic properties. Metal interaction involves O and N donors from the aliphatic moiety of carvedilol. NMR studies allowed us to obtain the structural information on metal coordination and to suggest that the physiological concentration of carvedilol and free metal ions may be enough for a protective effect by metal chelation.