Synthesis, characterization, fluorescence imaging, and cytotoxicity studies of a uracil-based azo derivative and its metal complexes

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Studies of C-5-Substituted Diazenyl Derivatives of Uracil as Potent and Selective Antileishmanial Agents Targeting Uridine Biosynthesis Pathway Enzymes

Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of a series of C-5-substituted diazenyl derivatives of uracil, exhibiting selective and potent antileishmanial but not antibacterial or antifungal activity. The formation of the substituted derivatives was confirmed by using FTIR, 1H, 13C NMR, and HRMS analysis. Among all of the sets of tested compounds, only three [4a, 6b, and 8b] showed the highest activity against Leishmania donovani (LD) promastigote and amastigote models of LD infections. Further, the cytotoxicity assays performed using three different cell lines, Vero cells, J774 cells, and THP1 cells, along with erythrocyte hemolysis assay showed the highest biocompatibility for the 4a, making it a lead compound for further biological assays. The LD cell death associated with 4a was not linked with ergosterol depletion, a common mechanism of action of antileishmanial drugs like amphotericin B (AmB). However, the LD cell death in the presence of 4a was reversed significantly through supplementation of uridine monophosphate (UMP), indicating the specific role of uridine biosynthesis pathway as the target of 4a. Furthermore, the in silico studies predicted orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase enzyme (OMPDCase) from LD as the plausible target for 4a. The proteomics analysis showed stronger downregulation of the aforementioned OMPDCase and also for a few other enzymes that are involved in the UMP biosynthesis pathway. This indicates that OMPDCase and other enzymes that regulate the UMP biosynthesis may be the target of 4a. Overall, the C-5-substituted diazenyl derivatives of uracil are presented here as novel and potent antileishmanial agents that can be used for treating visceral leishmaniasis (VL) wherein at present drug resistance and side effects of existing drugs demand a look for safer alternatives.

A comparative study of novel ruthenium(III) and iron(III) complexes containing uracil; docking and biological studies

Structural and biological studies were conducted on the novel complexes [Fe(U)2(H2O)2]Cl3 (FeU) and [Ru(U)2(H2O)2]Cl3 (RuU) (U = 5,6-Diamino-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione) to develop an anticancer drug candidate. The two complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Based on our findings, these complexes have octahedral geometry. The DNA-binding study proved that both complexes coordinated with CT-DNA. The docking study confirmed the potency of both complexes in downregulating the topoisomerase I protein through their high binding affinity. Biological studies have established that both complexes can act as potent anticancer agents against three cancer cell lines. RuU or FeU complexes induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells by increasing caspase9 protein and inhibiting proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) activity. In addition, both complexes down-regulate topoisomerase I expression in breast cancer cells. Therefore, the RuU and FeU complexes' anticancer activities were mediated via both apoptosis induction and topoisomerase I down-regulation. In conclusion, both complexes have dual anticancer activity pathways that may be responsible for the selective cytotoxicity of the complexes. This makes them more suitable for the development of novel cancer treatment strategies.

Synthesis of Some Novel Nanosized Chelates of Anchoring Bisazo Dye 5-[5-(4,6-Dioxo-2-thioxo-hexahydro-pyrimidin-5-ylazo)-naphthalen-1-ylazo]-2-mercapto-1H-pyrimidine-4,6-dione and Their Applications as Antioxidant and Antitumor Agents

A novel bisazo 5-[5-(4,6-dioxo-2-thioxo-hexahydro-pyrimidin-5-ylazo)-naphthalen-1-ylazo]-2-mercapto-1H-pyrimidine-4,6-dione (H4L) ligand has been synthesized from diazotization coupling between naphthalene-1,5-diamine and 2-thiobarbituric acid. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III) chelates were prepared. All prepared compounds were characterized by different techniques. The azo groups did not participate in chelation according to the infrared spectra, whereas the thioamide group did participate. The azo dye ligand coordinated with all metallic ions in a neutral-keto-thiol structure and behaved as a bi- and tridentate moiety. Zinc, manganese, and iron chelates had an octahedral structure, while nickel and cobalt chelates had a tetrahedral structure, but the copper chelate had a square pyramidal geometry. The thermal behavior of all prepared compounds was investigated and thermokinetic parameters were also discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data reflected that Fe(III) and Zn(II) complexes were crystalline while the Cu(II) complex was amorphous. Calcination of the Fe(III) complex at 600 °C yielded a nanosized Fe2O3 crystalline phase, elucidated by XRD and transmission electron microscope. The novel azo dye and some of its chelates were tested against HepG-2. The Fe2O3 nanooxide showed remarkable activity against the HepG-2 cell line rather than its precursor Fe(III) complex. Co(II) had a higher antioxidant activity than the other investigated complexes. In both activities, the Cu(II) complex did not show any activity. Molecular modeling and some theoretical studies were validated, and the experimental results were interpreted.

Two new lanthanide complexes with 5-(Pyrazol-1-yl)nicotinic acid: Structures and their anti-cancer properties

Two new lanthanide complexes [PrL₂(EA)₂]NO₃ (complex 1) and [SmL₂(EA)₂]NO₃ (complex 2) (H₂L = 5-(Pyrazol-1-yl)nicotinic acid, EA = CH₃CH₂OH) were synthesized. The structures were characterized by single crystal X-ray and elemental analysis. The interaction between the complex and fish sperm DNA(FS-DNA) was monitored using ultraviolet and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the binding constants were determined. Both complexes showed the ability to effectively bind DNA, and the molecular docking technology was used to simulate the binding of the complex and DNA. In addition, through the annexin V-Fluorescein Isothiocyanate(FITC)/ Propidium Iodide (PI) test experiment, tetrazollium [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) in vitro test, and cell morphology apoptosis studies, it was shown that the complex can effectively induce HeLa tumor cell apoptosis. Compared with cisplatin and complex, complex 1 shows significant cancer cell inhibition, and we hope that this new type of complex will open up new ways for the next generation of drugs in biomedical applications.