Compositions and methods for cytoprotection

A zinc chelate compound comprising at least one Zn ion and at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of a compound comprising Formula (I) and a compound comprising Formula (II), the compounds comprising Formulas (I) or (II) having the following structures:

• wherein:
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, phosphate, and acyl;
• R2, R3, and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl;
• R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl, or together R4 and R5 form ═O;
• R1′ and R2′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl, or together R1′ and R2′ form a group selected from the group consisting of ═O, ═S, and a hydrocarbyl ring comprising from three to six members;
• and
• R3′ and R4′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl, or together R3′ and R4′ form a group selected from the group consisting of ═O, ═S, and a hydrocarbyl ring comprising from three to six members.