Synthesis, crystal structures and insulin-like activity of three new oxidovanadium(V) complexes with aroylhydrazone ligand

Three new oxidovanadium(V) complexes were designed, synthesized and characterized by C, H, N elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction，UV/Vis and IR spectra. Complex 1: [VOL1X] (H2L1 = (E)-N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3-methbenzohydrazide, HX = ethylmaltol = 2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyrone), Complex 2: [VOL2(CH3O)(CH3OH)], (H2L2 = C16H16N2O4 = (E)-N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3,5-dimethoxybenzohydrazide, CH3OH = methanol), Complex 3: [VOL3X] (H2L3 = (E)-N′-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3,5-dimethoxybenzohydrazide). The insulin-like activity of the three complexes was tested. Both normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice were administered intragastrically for two weeks. It was found that the complexes at doses of 10.0 and 5.0 mg V·kg−1 can significantly decrease the blood glucose level in STZ-diabetic mice, and the blood glucose level in the treated normal mice was not altered. The lesions of kidney and liver caused by diabetes have varying degrees of improvement. [Display omitted] •The complexes have fine insulin-like activity on streptozotocin diabetic mice.•The complexes have protective effects on the lesions of kidney and liver caused by diabetes.