Synthesis of Rhodanine-N-acetic Acid Metal Complexes: Bioactivity of Its Iron Complex as Potential Prodrug Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Heavy metal accumulation has been shown to improve memory impairment, which is the most visible symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD).Objectives: This study was conducted to select and synthesize rhodanine-N-acetic acid (ROD) ligand as an azosulpha drug, as well as its metal complexes containing Fe(III), Mn(III), and Cu(II), to evaluate the iron complex's bioactivity in Swiss Albino rats.Methods: A new series of metal complexes were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, spectroscopic, and analytical methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG).The effects of heavy metal accumulation of the characterized iron complex on rats were investigated through in vivo studies. Results:The results indicated that as the iron load in the liver and spleen tissues increased, the iron-binding capacity of the ROD ligand also significantly increased. Conclusion:These findings suggest that the activity of ROD metal complexes should be investigated further as a potential prodrug for AD.