The development of new iron-chelating drugs.

2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid has been identified as a potentially useful iron-chelating drug. Accordingly, we have evaluated a series of derivatives of hydroxylated benzoic acids for their ability to induce iron excretion in the iron-overloaded rat. In addition, we have examined a number of hydroxamic acids and some other naturally occurring iron-chelating agents. Of the 26 benzoic acid derivatives studied, none appeared to be more effective than 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, for reasons which are discussed. Rhodotorulic acid, a hydroxamic acid produced by and isolated from cultures of Rhodotorula pilimanae, was the most effective of all the compounds studied in inducing iron excretion. When administered parenterally, rholotorulic acid induced iron excretion via both the urinary and the fecal routes and was more than twice as potent (on a weight basis) as desferrioxamine. Two ferrous chelators, alpha, alpha-dipyridyl ad 1,10-phenanthroline, induced a moderate amount of iron excretion, suggesting that a pool of ferrous iron may be available for chelation.