A Cytotoxic Bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene)carbazolide Gold(III) Complex Targets DNA by Partial Intercalation

Cytotoxic pyrrole-based gold(III) chelates target human topoisomerase II as dual-mode inhibitors and interact with human serum albumin

Topoisomerase IIα (Top II) is a critical enzyme that resolves DNA topology during transcription and replication. Inhibitors of Top II are used as anticancer agents and are classified as interfacial poisons (IFPs) or catalytic inhibitors (CICs). Here, we report a novel class of cytotoxic, stable cationic gold(III) Schiff base chelates (AuL1, AuL2, and AuL3) with DNA-intercalating properties. In the NCI-60 screen, AuL1 and AuL3 exhibited potent cytotoxicity (mean GI50 values of 11 (7) μM and 14 (9) μM, respectively), whereas AuL2 showed minimal cytotoxicity. Cluster analysis aligned AuL1 and AuL3 with the Top II poison etoposide. Mechanistic studies revealed that AuL1 acts as an IFP at concentrations between 0.5 and 50 μM and as a CIC at concentrations between 50 and 500 μM. Further investigations demonstrated that all three gold(III) chelates bind to and intercalate DNA, the main substrate for Top II. Finally, binding studies with human serum albumin (HSA) indicated that the chelates have moderate affinity for the protein. Thermodynamic analysis indicates entropically driven binding, with minimal structural disruption observed via UV-CD spectroscopy. These findings highlight the dual mode Top II inhibition mechanism delineated for the gold(III) chelates and their favourable pharmacodynamic interactions with HSA, underscoring their potential as promising anticancer agents.

A Cytotoxic Indazole-based Gold(III) Carboxamide Pincer Complex Targeting DNA Through Dual Binding Modes of Groove Binding and Alkylation

Gold(III) complexes have garnered increasing attention in drug delivery due to their structural and mechanistic similarities to cisplatin. This study investigates an indazole-based gold(III) carboxamide pincer complex, [N2·N6-bis(1-methyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)pyridine-2·6-dicarboxamide]gold(III) chloride (AuL), for its potential as an anticancer agent. Speciation analysis at physiological pH revealed that AuL predominantly exists as a neutral chlorinated species. The complex exhibited strong cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, with an impressive IC50 value of 9 µM, while showing no significant activity against the HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Comprehensive analysis using electrophoresis, viscometry, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), circular dichroism (CD), linear dichroism (LD) spectroscopy, and biomolecular simulations demonstrated that AuL binds to DNA via a dual mechanism, specifically minor groove binding and alkylation, with binding constants Ka1 = 1.48 × 109 M-1 and Ka2 = 6.59 × 105 M-1, respectively. Our data indicate that AuL initially binds to the minor groove of DNA, at which point a nucleobase substitutes the Cl ion, resulting in AuL binding directly to the DNA bases. In conclusion, the dual binding mode of AuL with DNA underscores its potential as a promising anticancer agent, opening new avenues for drug discovery and the development of metal-based therapeutics.

Biosourced Au(III) Complexes from D-Xylose: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation

A series of xylose-based ligands was obtained using a convenient approach, in a few steps from D-xylose. The complexation properties of these ligands towards Au3+ cations have been studied through different methods (multinuclear NMR, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis). The biological properties (antibacterial and anti-tumoral) of all the isolated xyloside Au(III) complexes were investigated in vitro. The xyloside Au(III) complexes gave the highest activities against E. coli (vs P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and S. epidermidis). The study also revealed that the nature of the sugar may play an important role in determining the selectivity of the antibacterial effect. Preliminary anti-tumoral evaluations showed that one complex containing a polyamine chain, exhibited interesting anti-proliferative activities on breast tumor cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BT-20. The anti-migratory effect of this complex also showed an average 35 % reduction in cell migration on the same two cancer cell lines.

Recent Progress in Synthetic Applications of Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents

Hypervalent iodine(III) compounds have found wide application in modern organic chemistry as environmentally friendly reagents and catalysts. Hypervalent iodine reagents are commonly used in synthetically important halogenations, oxidations, aminations, heterocyclizations, and various oxidative functionalizations of organic substrates. Iodonium salts are important arylating reagents, while iodonium ylides and imides are excellent carbene and nitrene precursors. Various derivatives of benziodoxoles, such as azidobenziodoxoles, trifluoromethylbenziodoxoles, alkynylbenziodoxoles, and alkenylbenziodoxoles have found wide application as group transfer reagents in the presence of transition metal catalysts, under metal-free conditions, or using photocatalysts under photoirradiation conditions. Development of hypervalent iodine catalytic systems and discovery of highly enantioselective reactions using chiral hypervalent iodine compounds represent a particularly important recent achievement in the field of hypervalent iodine chemistry. Chemical transformations promoted by hypervalent iodine in many cases are unique and cannot be performed by using any other common, non-iodine-based reagent. This review covers literature published mainly in the last 7-8 years, between 2016 and 2024.

Structural modification strategies of triazoles in anticancer drug development

The triazole functional group plays a pivotal role in the composition of biomolecules with potent anticancer activities, including numerous clinically approved drugs. The strategic utilization of the triazole fragment in the rational modification of lead compounds has demonstrated its ability to improve anticancer activities, enhance selectivity, optimize pharmacokinetic properties, and overcome resistance. There has been significant interest in triazole-containing hybrids in recent years due to their remarkable anticancer potential. However, previous reviews on triazoles in cancer treatment have failed to provide tailored design strategies specific to these compounds. Herein, we present an overview of design strategies encompassing a structure-modification approach for incorporating triazoles into hybrid molecules. This review offers valuable references and briefly introduces the synthesis of triazole derivatives, thereby paving the way for further research and advancements in the field of effective and targeted anticancer therapies.

Binuclear palladacycles with ionisable and non-ionisable tethers as anticancer agents

The search for novel anticancer agents to replace the current platinum-based treatments remains an ongoing process. Palladacycles have shown excellent promise as demonstrated by our previous work which yielded BTC2, a binuclear palladadycle with a non-ionisable polyethylene glycol (PEG) tether. Here, we explore the importance of the PEG-tether length on the anticancer activity of the binuclear palladacycles by comparing three analogous binuclear palladacycles, BTC2, BTC5 and BTC6, in the oestrogen receptor positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. In addition, these are compared to another analogue with an ionisable morpholine tether, BTC7. Potent anticancer activity was revealed through cell viability studies (MTT assays) revealed that while BTC6 showed similar potent anticancer activity as BTC2, it was less toxic towards non-cancerous cell lines. Interestingly, BTC7 and BTCF were less potent than the PEGylated palladacycles but showed significantly improved selectivity towards the triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cell death analysis showed that BTC7 and BTCF significantly induced apoptosis in both the cancer cell lines while the PEGylated complexes induced both apoptosis and secondary necrosis. Furthermore, experimental and computational DNA binding studies indicated partial intercalation and groove binding as the modes of action for the PEGylated palladacycles. Similarly, experimental and computational BSA binding studies indicated and specific binding sites in BSA dependent on the nature of the tethers on the complexes.

1,2,3-Triazol-5-ylidene- vs. 1,2,3-triazole-based tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes: influence of a mesoionic carbene ligand on the electronic and biological properties

The tricarbonylrhenium complexes that incorporate a mesoionic carbene ligand represent an emerging and promising class of molecules, the solid-state optical properties of which have rarely been investigated. The aim of this comprehensive study is to compare three of these complexes with their 1,2,3-triazole-based analogues. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystallographic data revealed that the triazolylidene derivatives are more prone to π-π interactions than their 1,2,3-triazole-based counterparts. The FT-IR and electrochemical data indicated a stronger electron donor effect from the organic ligand to the rhenium atom for triazolylidene derivatives, which was confirmed by DFT calculations. All compounds were phosphorescent in solution, where the 1,2,3-triazole-based complexes showed unusually strong dependence on dissolved oxygen. All compounds also emitted in the solid state, some of them exhibited marked solid-state luminescence enhancement (SLE) effect. The 1,2,3-triazole based complex Re-Phe even displayed astounding photoluminescence efficiency with quantum yield up to 0.69, and proved to be an excellent candidate for applications linked to aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Interestingly, one triazolylidene-based complex (Re-T-BOP) showed attractive antibacterial activity. This study highlights the potential of these new molecules for applications in the fields of photoluminescent and therapeutic materials, and provides the first bases for the design of efficient molecules in these research areas.

The crucial role of stability of intercalating agent for DNA binding studies in DMSO/water system

In recent years, extensive research has been directed towards understanding the interactions between various zinc complexes with DNA, specifically delving into their intercalation and binding behaviors. The binding of zinc complexes to DNA is particularly intriguing due to their distinctive intercalating capabilities. This study unveils a remarkable phenomenon observed with a specific Zn complex, ([B-Zn-N3], where B is a Schiff base ligand), during DNA intercalation investigations in the popular DMSO-Water binary solvent mixture. An unanticipated observation revealed time-dependent changes in the UV-visible absorption spectroscopic studies, coupled with the existence of an isosbestic point. This observation questions the stability of the intercalating agent itself during the intercalation process. The emergence of a decomposed product during the intercalation study has been confirmed through various analytical techniques, including CHN analysis, MALDI mass, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and Powder XRD. The change in the chemical species on intercalation is further substantiated by theoretical studies, adding depth to our understanding of the intricate dynamics at play during DNA intercalation with the [B-Zn-N3] complex in the DMSO-Water system.

New Pyridine Dicarbene Pincer Ligands with Ring Expanded NHCs and their Nickel and Chromium Complexes

The pincer complexes [NiIIBr(CNC)]Br (4), [CrIIIBr3(CNC)] (5 a) and [CrIIIBr2.3Cl0.7(CNC)] (5 b), where CNC=3,3'-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(1-mesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene), were obtained from the novel ligand CNC, generated in situ from the precursor (CHNCH)Br2 and [NiIIBr2(PPh3)2] or from [CrII{N(SiMe3)2}2(THF)2] and (CHNCH)Br2 by aminolysis, respectively. The tetrahedrally distorted square planar (τ4≅0.30) geometry and the singlet ground state of Ni in 4 were attributed to steric constraints of the CNC backbone. Computational methods highlighted the dependence of the coordination geometry and the singlet-triplet energy difference on the size of the N-substituent of the tetrahydropyrimidine wingtips and contrasted it to the situation in 5-membered imidazolin-2-ylidene pincer analogues. The octahedral CrIII metal center in 5 a and 5 b is presumably formed after one electron oxidation from CH2Cl2. 4/MAO and 5 a/MAO were catalysts of moderate activity for the oligomerization and polymerization of ethylene, respectively. The analogous (CH^N^CH)Br2 precursor, where (CH^N^CH)=3,3'-(pyridine-2,6-diylbis(methylene))bis(1-mesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1-ium), was also prepared, however its coordination chemistry was not studied due to the inherent instability of the resulting free C^N^C ligand.

(P^N^C) Ligands to Stabilize Gold(III): A Straightforward Access to Hydroxo, Formate, and Hydride Complexes

A novel class of (P^N^C) pincer ligands capable of stabilizing elusive gold(III) species is reported here. Straightforward access to (P^N^C)gold(III) hydroxo, formate, and hydride complexes has been streamlined by first incorporating a cycloauration step devoid of toxic metals or harsh conditions. The resulting gold complexes exhibit remarkable stability in solution as well as in the solid state under ambient conditions, which enabled their characterization by X-ray diffraction analyses. Interestingly, the influence of the ligand allowed the preparation of gold(III)-hydrides using mild hydride donors such as H-Bpin, which contrasts with sensitive super hydrides or strong acids and cryogenic conditions employed in previous protocols. A detailed bonding characterization of these species is complemented by reactivity studies.

Chiral Au(III) chelates exhibit unique NCI-60 cytotoxicity profiles and interactions with human serum albumin

Au(III) bis(pyrrolide-imine) chelates are emerging as a class of versatile, efficacious metallodrug candidates. Here, we synthesised two enantiopure chiral ligands H2L1 and H2L2 (tetradentate cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-bridged bis(pyrrole-imine) derivatives). Metallation of the ligands with Au(III) afforded the chiral cationic complexes AuL1 and AuL2. The in vitro cytotoxicities of AuL1 and AuL2 determined in the NCI-60 single-dose drug screen were 56.5% and 89.1%, respectively. AuL1 was subsequently selected for a five-dose NCI-60 screen, attaining GI50, IC50, and LC50 values of 4.7, 9.3 and 39.8 μM, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the NCI-60 data indicated that the profile for AuL1 was similar to that of vinblastine sulfate, a microtubule-targeting vinca alkaloid. Reactions of AuL1 with glutathione (GSH) in vitro confirmed its susceptibility to reduction, Au(III) → Au(I), by intracellular thiols. Because human serum albumin (HSA) is responsible for transporting clinically deployed and investigational drugs, we studied the uptake of AuL1 and AuL2 by HSA to delineate how chirality impacts their protein-binding affinity. Steady-state fluorescence quenching data acquired on the native protein and data from site-specific probes showed that the compounds bind at sites close enough to Trp-214 (subdomain IIA) of HSA to quench the fluorophore. The bimolecular quenching rate constants, Kq, were ca. 102 times higher than the maximum diffusion-controlled collision constant of a biomolecule in water (1010 M-1 s-1), confirming that static fluorescence quenching was the dominant mechanism. The Stern-Volmer constants, KSV, were ∼104 M-1 at 37 °C, while the affinity constants, Ka (37 °C), measured ∼2.1 × 104 M-1 (AuL1) and ∼1.2 × 104 M-1 (AuL2) for enthalpy-driven ligand uptake targeting Sudlow's site I. Although far- and near-UV CD spectroscopy indicated that both complexes minimally perturb the secondary and tertiary structure of HSA, substantial shifts in the CD spectra were recorded for both protein-bound ligands. This study highlights the role of chirality in determining the cytotoxicity profiles and protein binding behaviour of enantiomeric Au(III) chelates.

Next Generation Gold Drugs and Probes: Chemistry and Biomedical Applications

The gold drugs, gold sodium thiomalate (Myocrisin), aurothioglucose (Solganal), and the orally administered auranofin (Ridaura), are utilized in modern medicine for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis; however, new gold agents have been slow to enter the clinic. Repurposing of auranofin in different disease indications such as cancer, parasitic, and microbial infections in the clinic has provided impetus for the development of new gold complexes for biomedical applications based on unique mechanistic insights differentiated from auranofin. Various chemical methods for the preparation of physiologically stable gold complexes and associated mechanisms have been explored in biomedicine such as therapeutics or chemical probes. In this Review, we discuss the chemistry of next generation gold drugs, which encompasses oxidation states, geometry, ligands, coordination, and organometallic compounds for infectious diseases, cancer, inflammation, and as tools for chemical biology via gold-protein interactions. We will focus on the development of gold agents in biomedicine within the past decade. The Review provides readers with an accessible overview of the utility, development, and mechanism of action of gold-based small molecules to establish context and basis for the thriving resurgence of gold in medicine.

Mechanistic insights into the anti-cancer activity of the PEGylated binuclear palladacycle, BTC2, against triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a low five-year survival rate, especially if the cancer is diagnosed at a late stage and has already metastasized beyond the breast tissue. Current chemotherapeutic options for TNBC rely on traditional platinum-containing drugs like cisplatin, oxaliplatin and carboplatin. Unfortunately, these drugs are indiscriminately toxic, resulting in severe side effects and the development of drug resistance. Palladium compounds have shown to be viable alternatives to platinum complexes since they are less toxic and have displayed selectivity towards the TNBC cell lines. Here we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of a series of binuclear benzylidene palladacycles with varying phosphine bridging ligands. From this series we have identified BTC2 to be more soluble (28.38-56.77 μg/mL) and less toxic than its predecessor, AJ5, while maintaining its anticancer properties (IC₅₀ (MDA-MB-231) = 0.58 ± 0.012 μM). To complement the previous cell death pathway study of BTC2, we investigated the DNA and BSA binding properties of BTC2 through various spectroscopic and electrophoretic techniques, as well as molecular docking studies. We demonstrate that BTC2 displays multimodal DNA binding properties as both a partial intercalator and groove binder, with the latter being the predominant mode of action. BTC2 was also able to quench the fluorescence of BSA, thereby suggesting that the compound could be transported by albumin in mammalian cells. Molecular docking studies revealed that BTC2 is a major groove binder and binds preferentially to subdomain IIB of BSA. This study provides insight into the influence of the ligands on the activity of the binuclear palladacycles and provides much needed information on the mechanisms through which these complexes elicit their potent anticancer activity.

Gold Complexes in Anticancer Therapy: From New Design Principles to Particle-Based Delivery Systems

The discovery of the medicinal properties of gold complexes has fuelled the design and synthesis of new anticancer metallodrugs, which have received special attention due to their unique modes of action. Current research in the development of gold compounds with therapeutic properties is predominantly focused on the molecular design of drug leads with superior pharmacological activities, e.g., by introducing targeting features. Moreover, intensive research aims at improving the physicochemical properties of gold compounds, such as chemical stability and solubility in the physiological environment. In this regard, the encapsulation of gold compounds in nanocarriers or their chemical grafting onto targeted delivery vectors could lead to new nanomedicines that eventually reach clinical applications. Herein, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art progress of gold anticancer compounds, andmore importantly we thoroughly revise the development of nanoparticle-based delivery systems for gold chemotherapeutics.

Recent development of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes as therapeutic agents for cancer diseases

Metal complexes have demonstrated significant antitumor activities and platinum complexes are well established in the clinical application of cancer chemotherapy. However, the platinum-based treatment of different types of cancers is massively hampered by severe side effects and resistance development. Consequently, the development of novel metal-based drugs with different mechanism of action and pharmaceutical profile attracts modern medicinal chemists to design and synthesize novel metal-based agents. Among non-platinum anticancer drugs, gold complexes have gained considerable attention due to their significant antiproliferative potency and efficacy. In most situations, the gold complexes exhibit anticancer activities by targeting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) or other thiol-rich proteins and enzymes and trigger cell death via reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, gold complexes were recently reported to elicit biochemical hallmarks of immunogenic cell death (ICD) as an ICD inducer. In this review, the recent progress of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes is comprehensively summarized, and their activities and mechanism of action are documented.

Ru(III) complexes with pyrazolopyrimidines as anticancer agents: bioactivities and the underlying mechanisms

Three ruthenium(III) complexes with pyrazolopyrimidine [Ru(Lⁿ)(H₂O)Cl₃] (1-3, n = 1-3) were prepared and characterized. These Ru(III) compounds show strong cytotoxicity against six cancer cell lines and low toxicity to normal human liver cells. Particularly, they exhibited stronger cytotoxicity to SK-OV-3 cells than cisplatin. Mechanism studies revealed that complex 1 inhibited tumor cell invasion and suppressed cell proliferation, induced apoptosis by elevating the levels of intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) and free calcium (Ca²⁺), and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ). It also activated the caspase cascade, accompanied with upregulation of cytochrome c, Bax, p53, Apaf-1 and downregulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, complex 1 caused cell cycle arrest at S phase by inhibiting the expression of CDC 25, cyclin A2 and CDK 2 proteins, and induced DNA damage by interacting with DNA and inhibiting the topoisomerase I enzyme. Complex 1 exhibited efficient in vivo anticancer activity in a model of SK-OV-3 tumor xenograft.

Cancer molecular biology and strategies for the design of cytotoxic gold(I) and gold(III) complexes: a tutorial review

This tutorial review highlights key principles underpinning the design of selected metallodrugs to target specific biological macromolecules (DNA and proteins). The review commences with a descriptive overview of the eukaryotic cell cycle and the molecular biology of cancer, particularly apoptosis, which is provided as a necessary foundation for the discovery, design, and targeting of metal-based anticancer agents. Drugs which target DNA have been highlighted and clinically approved metallodrugs discussed. A brief history of the development of mainly gold-based metallodrugs is presented prior to addressing ligand systems for stabilizing and adding functionality to bio-active gold(I) and gold(III) complexes, particularly in the burgeoning field of anticancer metallodrugs. Concepts such as multi-modal and selective cytotoxic agents are covered where necessary for selected compounds. The emerging role of carbenes as the ligand system of choice to achieve these goals for gold-based metallodrug candidates is highlighted prior to closing the review with comments on some future directions that this research field might follow. The latter section ultimately emphasizes the importance of understanding the fate of metal complexes in cells to garner key mechanistic insights.