APPLICATION
The present invention provides compositions and methods for cytoprotection. In particular, it provides zinc chelate compositions comprising at least one zinc ion and at least one aminothiol ligand.
CLAIMS
1. A method for protecting a mammalian cell from a cellular injury, the method comprising contacting the cell with a zinc chelate such that the cell has less damage than a comparable cell not contacted with the zinc chelate, wherein the cellular injury is chosen from chemical injury, thermal injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and mechanical trauma, and the zinc chelate comprises at least one zinc ion and at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of a compound comprising Formula (I), a compound comprising Formula (II), captopril, and 3,5-diisopropylsalicylic acid, the compounds comprising Formulas (I) or (II) having the following structures: wherein: R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acyl; R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylamino, carboxyl, carboxylate ester, and carboxamide; R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyl, carboxylate ester, and carboxamide, or together R4 and R5 form ═O; R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and acyl; R1′and R2′are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, and alkenyl, or together R1′and R2′form ═O; and R3′and R4′are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, and (CHOH)nCH2OH, or together R3′and R4′form ═O, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4.