Copper complexes with phosphonium containing hydrazone ligand: Topoisomerase inhibition and cytotoxicity study

Copper Nanodrugs by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

In this study, some copper catalysts used for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were explored as efficient anti-tumor agents. The aqueous solution of copper-containing nanoparticles with uniform spheric morphology was in situ prepared through a copper-catalyzed activator generated by electron transfer (AGET) ATRP in water. Nanoparticles were then directly injected into tumor-bearing mice for antitumor chemotherapy. The copper nanodrugs had prolonged blood circulation time and enhanced accumulation at tumor sites, thus showing potent antitumor activity. This work provides a novel strategy for precise and large-scale preparation of copper nanodrugs with high antitumor activity.

Copper II Complexes Based on Benzimidazole Ligands as a Novel Photoredox Catalysis for Free Radical Polymerization Embedded Gold and Silver Nanoparticles

The copper II complex's novel benzimidazole Schiff base ligands were manufactured and gauged as a new photoredox catalyst/photoinitiator amalgamated with triethylamine (TEA) and iodonium salt (Iod) for the polymerization of ethylene glycol diacrylate while exposed to visible light by an LED Lamp at 405 nm with an intensity of 543 mW/cm² at 28 °C. Gold and silver nanoparticles were obtained through the reactivity of the copper II complexes with amine/Iod salt. The size of NPs was around 1-30 nm. Lastly, the high performance of copper II complexes for photopolymerization containing nanoparticles is presented and examined. Ultimately, the photochemical mechanisms were observed using cyclic voltammetry. The preparation of the polymer nanocomposite nanoparticles in situ was photogenerated during the irradiation LED at 405 nm with an intensity of 543 mW/cm² at 28 °C process. UV-Vis, FTIR, and TEM analyses were utilized for the determination of the generation of AuNPs and AgNPs which resided within the polymer matrix.

Comprehensive Assessment of Biomolecular Interactions of Morpholine-Based Mixed Ligand Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes of 2,2'-Bipyridine as Potential Anticancer and SARS-CoV-2 Agents: A Synergistic Experimental and Structure-Based Virtual Screening

A new class of pharmacologically active mixed-ligand complexes (1a-2a) [M^II(L)₂ (bpy)], where L = 2-(4-morpholinobenzylideneamino)phenol), bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, M^II = Cu (1a), and Zn (2a), were assigned an octahedral geometry by analytical and spectral measurements. Gel electrophoresis showed that complex (1a) demonstrated the complete DNA cleavage mediated by H₂O₂. The overall DNA-binding constants observed from UV-vis, fluorometric, hydrodynamic, and electrochemical titrations were in the following sequence: (1a) > (2a) > (HL), which suggests that the complexes might intercalate DNA, a possibility that is further supported by the biothermodynamic characteristics. The binding constant results of BSA by electronic absorption and fluorometric titration demonstrate that complex (1a) exhibits the highest binding effectiveness among others, which means that all compounds could interact with BSA through a static approach, additionally supported by FRET measurements. Density FunctionalTheory (DFT) and molecular docking calculations were relied on to unveil the electronic structure, reactivity, and interacting capability of all substances with DNA, BSA, and SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). These observed binding energies fell within the following ranges: -7.7 to -8.6, -7.2 to -10.2, and -6.7 to -8.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The higher reactivity of the complexes compared to free ligand is supported by the Frontier MolecularOrbital (FMO) theory. The in vitro antibacterial, cytotoxic, and radical scavenging characteristics revealed that complex (1a) has the best biological efficacy compared to others. This is encouraged because all experimental findings are closely correlated with the theoretical measurements.

Experimental and Theoretical DFT Study of Cu(I)/N,N-Disubstituted-N'-acylthioureato Anticancer Complexes: Actin Cytoskeleton and Induction of Death by Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Tumor Cells

Six complexes with the general formula [Cu(acylthioureato)(PPh3)2] were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/visible, and 1D and 2D NMR), mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Interpretation of the in vitro cytotoxicity data of Cu(I) complexes took into account their stability in cell culture medium. DFT calculations showed that NMR properties, such as the shielding of carbon atoms, are affected by relativistic effects, supported by the ZORA Hamiltonian in the theoretical calculations. Additionally, the calculation of the energies of the frontier molecular orbitals predicted that the structural changes of the acylthiourea ligands did not cause marked changes in the reactivity descriptors. All complexes were cytotoxic to the evaluated tumor cell lines [MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative breast cancer, TNBC), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and A549 (lung cancer)]. In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, complex 1 significantly altered the cytoskeleton of the cells, reducing the density and promoting the condensation of F-actin filaments. In addition, the compound caused an increase in the percentage of cells in the fragmented DNA region (sub-G0) and induced cell death via the apoptotic pathway starting at the IC50 concentration. Taken together, the results show that complex 1 has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on TNBC cells, which is a cell line originating from an aggressive, difficult-to-treat breast cancer.

Copper(II) Phenanthroline-Based Complexes as Potential AntiCancer Drugs: A Walkthrough on the Mechanisms of Action

Copper is an endogenous metal ion that has been studied to prepare a new antitumoral agent with less side-effects. Copper is involved as a cofactor in several enzymes, in ROS production, in the promotion of tumor progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis, and has been found at high levels in serum and tissues of several types of human cancers. Under these circumstances, two strategies are commonly followed in the development of novel anticancer Copper-based drugs: the sequestration of free Copper ions and the synthesis of Copper complexes that trigger cell death. The latter strategy has been followed in the last 40 years and many reviews have covered the anticancer properties of a broad spectrum of Copper complexes, showing that the activity of these compounds is often multi factored. In this work, we would like to focus on the anticancer properties of mixed Cu(II) complexes bearing substituted or unsubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline based ligands and different classes of inorganic and organic auxiliary ligands. For each metal complex, information regarding the tested cell lines and the mechanistic studies will be reported and discussed. The exerted action mechanisms were presented according to the auxiliary ligand/s, the metallic centers, and the increasing complexity of the compound structures.

Synthesis and in vitro biochemical properties, DNA binding and DNA cleavage ability of copper complexes of hydroxyflavone derivatives of novel organosulfur compounds as therapeutic agent

Novel and synthetically essential flavonoids compounds containing the organosulfur moiety from Schiff bases, as well as their copper complexes, were synthesized from chrysin and 2-(phenylthio)aniline. These complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy techniques. All the Cu(II) complexes exhibit square planar geometry. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the investigated compounds were tested against the bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae and fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Culvularia lunata, Rhizoctonia bataicola, and Candida albicans by serial dilution method. The DNA binding and DNA cleavage properties of copper complexes were studied. Free radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and antioxidant activities of the copper complexes have also been studied. In addition, using the egg albumin process, the in vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy of metal chelates was examined. Anti-tuberculosis and α-glucosidase inhibition activity were carried out from the prepared metal complexes. The flavonoid compounds containing the organosulfur moiety of Cu(II) complexes (1-8) exhibited better therapeutic agent.

Influence of anchoring moieties on new benzimidazole-based Schiff base copper(II) complexes towards estrogen dependent breast cancer cells

Two new benzimidazole Schiff base copper(ii) compounds [Cu(5-CH2PPh3-2-salmethylben)(NO3)(H2O)][BF4]·2/3(H2O)·1/3(MeOH) (1) and [Cu(5-CH2NEt3-2-salmethylben)(Cl)][BF4] (2) were synthesised by mixing 2-(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)aniline, (3-formyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)triphenylphosphonium chloride or N,N-diethyl-N-(3-formyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)ethanaminium chloride and Cu(NO3)2·3H2O or CuCl2·2H2O in the presence of tetrafluoroborate in a binary mixture of MeOH : H2O under refluxing conditions. The structures of the compounds were established by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ESI-MS analytical techniques and, for 1, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were performed to evaluate the calf thymus DNA interactions with the compounds. The calculated binding constants (Kb) of 3.14 × 105 M-1 for 1 and 3.20 × 105 M-1 for 2 were established. The intercalative DNA binding mode was also verified by molecular docking studies. Both compounds demonstrated a notable in vitro cytotoxic effect against human A-549 (lung carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and HeLa (cervical cancer) cancer cell lines. A substantial repressive effect on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells (breast cancer cells) was observed for compound 1. The mechanism of action for the effective antiproliferative activity of 1 has additionally been confirmed by means of various biological studies such as morphological assessment through AO/EB, detection of apoptotic induction via Hoechst/PI dual staining, flow cytometry for detection of cell cycle arrest, quantitative analysis of apoptotic cells, DNA degradation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and by apoptotic induction through mitochondrial staining.

Novel Copper Photoredox Catalysts for Polymerization: An In Situ Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles

The copper II complex (HLCuCl) carrying 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazone (L) is synthesized and evaluated as a new photoredox catalyst/photoinitiator in combination with triethylamine (TEA) and iodonium salt (Iod) for the radical polymerization of ethylene glycol diacrylate during exposure to visible light using a photoreactor at 419 nm. The copper complex reactivity with TEA/Iod salt/gold chloride showed a good production and stability of gold nanoparticles. Finally, the high performance of Cu (II) complex for radical photopolymerization incorporating gold nanoparticles is provided. The photochemical mechanisms for the production of initiating radicals are studied using cyclic voltammetry. Polymer nanocomposites containing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in situ photogenerated during the irradiation process were prepared. The formation of Au NPs inside the polymer matrix was through UV-Vis and EDS/SEM analyses.

Copper Complexes as Anticancer Agents Targeting Topoisomerases I and II

Organometallics, such as copper compounds, are cancer chemotherapeutics used alone or in combination with other drugs. One small group of copper complexes exerts an effective inhibitory action on topoisomerases, which participate in the regulation of DNA topology. Copper complexes inhibitors of topoisomerases 1 and 2 work by different molecular mechanisms, analyzed herein. They allow genesis of DNA breaks after the formation of a ternary complex, or act in a catalytic mode, often display DNA intercalative properties and ROS production, and sometimes display dual effects. These amplified actions have repercussions on the cell cycle checkpoints and death effectors. Copper complexes of topoisomerase inhibitors are analyzed in a broader synthetic view and in the context of cancer cell mutations. Finally, new emerging treatment aspects are depicted to encourage the expansion of this family of highly active anticancer drugs and to expend their use in clinical trials and future cancer therapy.

Thiosemicarbazones as Potent Anticancer Agents and their Modes of Action

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Thiosemicarbazones (TSCs) are a class of Schiff bases usually obtained by the condensation of thiosemicarbazide with a suitable aldehyde or ketone. TSCs have been the focus of chemists and biologists due to their wide range of pharmacological effects. One of the promising areas in which these excellent metal chelators are being developed is their use against cancer. TSCs have a wide clinical antitumor spectrum with efficacy in various tumor types such as leukemia, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and bladder cancer. To obtain better activity, different series of TSCs have been developed by modifying the heteroaromatic system in their molecules. These compounds possessed significant antineoplastic activity when the carbonyl attachment of the side chain was located at a position α to the ring nitrogen atom, whereas attachment of the side chain β or γ to the heterocyclic N atom resulted in inactive antitumor agents. In addition, replacement of the heterocyclic ring N with C also resulted in a biologically inactive compound suggesting that a conjugated N,N,S-tridentate donor set is essential for the biological activities of thiosemicarbazones. Several possible mechanisms have been implemented for the anticancer activity of thiosemicarbazones.

Evaluation of Pharmacological Activity of Heterobimetallic Coordination Compounds Containing N, N-Bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-Ethylenediamine on HT29, HeLa, C6 and Vero cells

The present study was conducted in order to investigate the pharmacological activities of three heterobimetallic coordination compounds: [Cd(N-bishydeten)₂][Ni(CN)₄] (C1), [Cu₂(N-bishydeten)₂Co(CN)₆].3H₂O (C2), and K[Cd(N-bishydeten)Co(CN)₆].1.5H₂O (C3) (N-bishydeten = N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine). This paper describes the ability of complexes to inhibit cell growth, cell migration and human topoisomerase I and to interact with DNA/BSA; this paper also evaluates the potential mechanisms of action exhibited by these compounds via the use of powerful measurement techniques. Studies on HT29, HeLa, C6 and Vero cells revealed that each compound demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity in conjunction with regressed cell migration velocity and caused apoptotic changes in morphology. There are strong data suggesting that the mechanisms of action exhibited by these compounds are associated with their DNA/BSA binding features. The IC₅₀ and binding constant range for the compounds are 20-180 µM and 1.2-3.2 x 10⁴ M^-1, respectively. Moreover, we observed that these compounds alter the P53-Bcl-2 ratio and inhibit the relaxation activity of human topoisomerase I. Furthermore, a correlation between the antiproliferative effects of these compounds and their cytotoxic activity was observed. In conclusion, preliminary information demonstrates that these compounds have been found to exhibit effective antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines, indicating that they are a potent candidate for further pharmacological study.

From coins to cancer therapy: Gold, silver and copper complexes targeting human topoisomerases

Cancer is a complex issue and, even though the prevention basics and therapy have been implemented, it is still the second leading death cause worldwide. With the hope to discover new powerful and safer molecules to fight cancer, many researchers focused their attention on metal-based compounds, starting from the most famous and successfully employed anticancer drug, i.e. cisplatin. The current article aims to report the most recent discoveries about the use of gold, silver and copper complexes as antitumor agents, highlighting their influences on important enzymes, namely human topoisomerases. The latter are fundamental for the cell life and, if overexpressed, strongly implicated in cancer onset and progression. The identification of lead complexes targeting human topoisomerases and gifted with the appropriate chemical and pharmacological properties represents a fecund starting point to obtain new and more effective anticancer molecules.

Anticancer and biological properties of a Zn-2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(thiosemicarbazone) complex

Herein, to develop a multi-target anticancer metal agent and achieve a "1 + 1 > 2" pharmaceutical effect, we rationally designed and synthesized five complexes (C1-C5) by synergistically exploiting the properties of Zn(ii) and a series of modified 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligands. By investigating the structure-activity relationships, we found that the binuclear Zn(ii) complex (C5) acts against human bladder cancer cells (T-24) with significant cytotoxicity. We subsequently determined the multiple anticancer mechanisms of C5 to T-24 cells, including inhibiting the activity of topoisomerase I (Topo I), blocking the cell cycle in the S phase, and inducing apoptosis and autophagy in T-24 cells. Furthermore, C5 inhibited the migration of T-24 cells and showed a significant cytostatic effect in the T-24 3D spheroid model.

A comprehensive review of topoisomerase inhibitors as anticancer agents in the past decade

The topoisomerase enzymes play an important role in DNA metabolism, and searching for enzyme inhibitors is an important target in the search for new anticancer drugs. Discovery of new anticancer chemotherapeutical capable of inhibiting topoisomerase enzymes is highlighted in anticancer research. Therefore, biologists, organic chemists and medicinal chemists all around the world have been identifying, designing, synthesizing and evaluating a variety of novel bioactive molecules targeting topoisomerase. This review summarizes types of topoisomerase inhibitors in the past decade, and divides them into nine classes by structural characteristics, including N-heterocycles compounds, quinone derivatives, flavonoids derivatives, coumarin derivatives, lignan derivatives, polyphenol derivatives, diterpenes derivatives, fatty acids derivatives, and metal complexes. Then we discussed the application prospect and development of these anticancer compounds, as well as concluded parts of their structural-activity relationships. We believe this review would be invaluable in helping to further search potential topoisomerase inhibition as antitumor agent in clinical usage.

Comparative studies of Schiff base-copper(ii) and zinc(ii) complexes regarding their DNA binding ability and cytotoxicity against sarcoma cells

Schiff base-copper(ii) and zinc(ii) complexes were prepared and characterized, and their binding ability to DNA and cytotoxicity against healthy and carcinogenic cells were studied.

Antimicrobial activity of aroylhydrazone-based oxido vanadium(v) complexes: in vitro and in silico studies

A series of oxido vanadium(v) complexes have been synthesized and evaluated from the point of experimental and theoretical antimicrobial activity.

Oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with chrysin and silibinin: anticancer activity and mechanisms of action in a human colon adenocarcinoma model

Vanadium compounds were studied during recent years to be considered as a representative of a new class of nonplatinum metal antitumor agents in combination to its low toxicity. On the other hand, flavonoids are a wide family of polyphenolic compounds synthesized by plants that display many interesting biological effects. Since coordination of ligands to metals can improve the pharmacological properties, we report herein, for the first time, a exhaustive study of the mechanisms of action of two oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with the flavonoids: silibinin Na₂[VO(silibinin)₂2]·6H₂O (VOsil) and chrysin [VO(chrysin)₂EtOH]₂(VOchrys) on human colon adenocarcinoma derived cell line HT-29. The complexes inhibited the cell viability of colon adenocarcinoma cells in a dose dependent manner with a greater potency than that the free ligands and free metal, demonstrating the benefit of complexation. The decrease of the ratio of the amount of reduced glutathione to the amount of oxidized glutathione were involved in the deleterious effects of both complexes. Besides, VOchrys caused cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase while VOsil activated caspase 3 and triggering the cells directly to apoptosis. Moreover, VOsil diminished the NF-kB activation via increasing the sensitivity of cells to apoptosis. On the other hand, VOsil inhibited the topoisomerase IB activity concluding that this is important target involved in the anticancer vanadium effects. As a whole, the results presented herein demonstrate that VOsil has a stronger deleterious action than VOchrys on HT-29 cells, whereby suggesting that Vosil is the potentially best candidate for future use in alternative anti-tumor treatments.

Synthesis, characterization, X-ray crystal structure, DFT calculation, DNA binding, and antimicrobial assays of two new mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes

Two new Cu(II) complexes, [Cu(L)(phen)] (1), [Cu(L)(bipy)] (2), where L(2-)=(3-methoxy-2oxidobenzylidene)benzohydrazidato, phen=1,10 phenanthroline, and bipy=2,2' bipyridine, were prepared and fully characterized using elemental analyses, FT-IR, molar conductivity, and electronic spectra. The structures of both complexes were also determined by X-ray diffraction. It was found that, both complexes possessed square pyramidal coordination environment in which, Cu(II) ions were coordinated by donor atoms of HL and two nitrogens of heterocyclic bases. Computational studies were performed using DFT calculations at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. DNA binding activities of these complexes were also investigated using electronic absorption, competitive fluorescence titration and cyclic voltammetry studies. The obtained results indicated that binding of the complexes to DNA was of intercalative mode. Furthermore, antimicrobial activities of these compounds were screened against microorganisms.

Azine or hydrazone? The dilemma in amidinohydrazones

Amidinohydrazone, an important class of biologically active molecules, is generally represented as a hydrazone. This moiety prefers to exist in its azine tautomeric state and hence, influences the physical, chemical and receptor binding properties.

A room temperature spin crossover ionic liquid

Two new paramagnetic ionic liquids (ILs) comprising a mononuclear iron(iii) or manganese(iii) complex cation, charge balanced by a dicyanamide anion are reported which show a range of spin states including spin crossover.

Ternary copper(II) complexes with amino acid chains and heterocyclic bases: DNA binding, cytotoxic and cell apoptosis induction properties

Nowadays, chemotherapy is a common means of oncology. However, it is difficult to find excellent chemotherapy drugs. Here we reported three new ternary copper(II) complexes which have potential chemotherapy characteristics with reduced Schiff base ligand and heterocyclic bases (TBHP), [Cu(phen)(TBHP)]H2O (1), [Cu(dpz)(TBHP)]H2O (2) and [Cu(dppz)(TBHP)]H2O (3) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, dpz=dipyrido [3,2:2',3'-f]quinoxaline, dppz=dipyrido [3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, H2TBHP=2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylamino)-2-benzyl-acetic acid). The DNA-binding properties of the complexes were investigated by spectrometric titrations, ethidium bromide displacement experiments and viscosity measurements. The results indicated that the three complexes, especially the complex 13, can strongly bind to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA). The intrinsic binding constants Kb of the ternary copper(II) complexes with CT-DNA were 1.37×10(5), 1.81×10(5) and 3.21×10(5) for 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Comparative cytotoxic activities of the copper(II) complexes were also determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed that the ternary copper(II) complexes had significant cytotoxic activity against the human lung cancer (A549), human esophageal cancer (Eca109) and human gastric cancer (SGC7901) cell lines. Cell apoptosis were detected by AnnexinV/PI flow cytometry and by Western blotting with the protein expression of p53, Bax and Bcl-2. All the three copper complexes can effectively induce apoptosis of the three human tumor cells.

Zinc, copper and nickel derivatives of 2-[2-bromoethyliminomethyl]phenol as topoisomerase inhibitors exhibiting anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic properties

Transition metal (Zn, Cu and Ni) derivatives of (2-[2-bromoethyliminomethyl]phenol), were found to inhibit topoisomerase I activity, induce DNA cleavage and bind to calf thymus DNA. The compounds are also cytotoxic and anti-invasive against PC3.