Antifungal activity of organobismuth compounds against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: structure–activity relationship

Bioactive Bismuth Compounds: Is Their Toxicity a Barrier to Therapeutic Use?

Bismuth compounds are considered relatively non-toxic, with their low solubility in aqueous solutions (e.g., biological fluids) being the major contributing factor to this property. Bismuth derivatives are widely used for the treatment of peptic ulcers, functional dyspepsia, and chronic gastritis. Moreover, the properties of bismuth compounds have also been extensively explored in two main fields of action: antimicrobial and anticancer. Despite the clinical interest of bismuth-based drugs, several side effects have also been reported. In fact, excessive acute ingestion of bismuth, or abuse for an extended period of time, can lead to toxicity. However, evidence has demonstrated that the discontinuation of these compounds usually reverses their toxic effects. Notwithstanding, the continuously growing use of bismuth products suggests that it is indeed part of our environment and our daily lives, which urges a more in-depth review and investigation into its possible undesired activities. Therefore, this review aims to update the pharmaco-toxicological properties of bismuth compounds. A special focus will be given to in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies exploring their toxicity.

Biological Activities of Bismuth Compounds: An Overview of the New Findings and the Old Challenges Not Yet Overcome

Bismuth-based drugs have been used primarily to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori and other gastrointestinal ailments. Combined with antibiotics, these drugs also possess synergistic activity, making them ideal for multiple therapy regimens and overcoming bacterial resistance. Compounds based on bismuth have a low cost, are safe for human use, and some of them are also effective against tumoral cells, leishmaniasis, fungi, and viruses. However, these compounds have limited bioavailability in physiological environments. As a result, there is a growing interest in developing new bismuth compounds and approaches to overcome this challenge. Considering the beneficial properties of bismuth and the importance of discovering new drugs, this review focused on the last decade's updates involving bismuth compounds, especially those with potent activity and low toxicity, desirable characteristics for developing new drugs. In addition, bismuth-based compounds with dual activity were also highlighted, as well as their modes of action and structure-activity relationship, among other relevant discoveries. In this way, we hope this review provides a fertile ground for rationalizing new bismuth-based drugs.

A new C-anionic tripodal ligand 2-{bis(benzothiazolyl)(methoxy)methyl}phenyl and its bismuth complexes

A new tripodal C-anionic ligand, 2-{bis(benzothiazolyl)(methoxy)methyl}phenyl (L), was stably generated by the reaction of the ligand precursor (L'), the corresponding bromide (2-BrC6H4)(MeO)C(C7H4NS)2 (C7H4NS = 2-benzothiazolyl), with nBuLi at -104 °C in the presence of TMEDA (N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine). The ligand lithium salt reacted with BiCl3 to give a 2 : 1 complex L2BiCl. A 1 : 1 complex LBiCl2 was obtained in good yield by the redistribution reaction between L2BiCl and BiCl3. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the ligand L coordinated in an expected κ3-C,N,N' coordination mode in LBiCl2, while it coordinated in κ3-C,N,O and κ2-C,O coordination modes in L2BiCl. The ligand precursor reacted with BiX3 (X = Cl, Br) to give 1 : 1 complexes L'BiX3 and was found to act as a neutral tripodal C(π),N,N-ligand.

Heterocyclic organobismuth(III) compound induces nonapoptotic cell death via lipid peroxidation

Heterocyclic organobismuth compounds, such as N-tert-butyl-bi-chlorodibenzo[c,f][1,5]azabismocine (compound 1) and bi-chlorodibenzo[c,f ][1,5]thiabismocine (compound 3), exert potent antiproliferative activities in vitro in human cancer cell lines. We showed that compound 3 induced both apoptotic and nonapoptotic cell death via reactive oxygen species production and mitotic arrest in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms underlying the dose-dependent effect of these organobismuth compounds were not clear. In the present study, we examined the dose-dependent mechanism underlying cell death induced by compound 1 in a human pancreatic cancer cell line, SUIT-2, and a human colorectal cancer cell line, DLD-1. Compound 1 inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and induced cell death. Treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk reduced cell death induced by compound 1, whereas the inhibitory effect of zVAD-fmk was limited. Moreover, compound 1 significantly induced lipid peroxidation with concomitant induction of caspase-independent cell death. Our results suggested that eight-membered ring organobismuth compounds induce nonapoptotic cell death via lipid peroxidation.

Upregulation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 protein level in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line DLD-1 by a heterocyclic organobismuth(III) compound: Effect of organobismuth(III) compound on NRF2 signaling

An increasing number of metal-based compounds, including arsenic trioxide, auranofin, and cisplatin, have been reported to have antitumor activity. Their beneficial effects are controlled by a transcription factor, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2). In response to oxidative stress, NRF2 induces the expression of cytoprotective genes. NRF2 protein levels are regulated by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) via ubiquitination. Bi-chlorodibenzo[c,f][1,5]thiabismocine (compound 3), a bismuth compound, is known for its potent anti-proliferative activity against various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the effect of compound 3 on NRF2 signaling in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line DLD-1 in terms of cell viability as well as mRNA and protein expression levels of NRF2. Compound 3 upregulated NRF2 protein levels in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, accompanied by a marked increase in heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein levels. We observed that brusatol, an NRF2 inhibitor, as well as small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of NRF2 in DLD-1 cells suppressed compound 3-induced HO-1 expression. The anticancer activity of compound 3 was enhanced by compounds that downregulate NRF2. These results suggest that compound 3 upregulates HO-1 via NRF2 activation and that the NRF2-HO-1 pathway is the cellular response to compound 3. We also discovered that compound 3 slightly downregulated KEAP1; thus, NRF2 activation may be associated with KEAP1 modification. Collectively, our results indicate that compound 3 simultaneously activates an anti-oxidative stress pathway, such as NRF2 and HO-1, and a pro-cell death signal in DLD-1 cells. Our findings may provide useful information for the development of a potent anticancer organobismuth(III) compound.

Application of Protocols Devised to Study Bi(III) Complex Formation by Voltammetry: The Bi(III)-Picolinic Acid System

Bi(III) coordination chemistry has been largely neglected due to the difficulties faced when studying these systems even though Bi(III) is used in various medicinal applications. This study of the Bi(III)-picolinic acid system by voltammetry applies the rigorous methodologies already developed to enable the study of Bi(III) systems starting in very acidic solutions to prevent precipitation. This includes calibrating the glass electrode accurately at these low pHs, compensating for the diffusion junction potential below pH 2 and determining the reduction potential of uncomplexed Bi(III) which cannot be directly measured. The importance of including nitrate from the background electrolyte as a competing species is highlighted, especially for data acquired below pH ∼ 2. From analysis of the voltammetric data, it was not clear whether a ML₃OH species formed in solution or whether it was a combination of ML₄ and ML₄OH. Information from crystal structures and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry measurements was thus used to propose the most probable species model. The log β values determined were 7.77 ± 0.07 for ML, 13.89 ± 0.07 for ML₂, 18.61 ± 0.01 for ML₃, 22.7 ± 0.2 for ML₄, and 31.4 ± 0.2 for ML₄OH. Application of these methodologies thus opens the door to broaden our understanding of Bi(III) complexation.

Main group bismuth(III), gallium(III) and diorganotin(IV) complexes derived from bis(2-acetylpyrazine)thiocarbonohydrazone: synthesis, crystal structures and biological evaluation

Up to now, the metal complexes with thiocarbonohydrazones have been comparatively rare. Herein, three main group monometallic complexes formulated as [Bi(HL)(NO3)2(H2O)] (1), [Ga(HL)2]OAc·EtOH (2) and [(Ph)2Sn(HL)(OAc)]·DMF (3), where H2L = bis(2-acetylpyrazine)thiocarbonohydrazone, have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of complexes 2 and 3 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Growth inhibition assays have indicated that both the free ligand and the title complexes are capable of inhibiting cell proliferation growth and could slightly distinguish the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells from normal hepatocyte QSG7701 cells. Of particular note is the fact that the bismuth(III) complex 1 is the most active compound of this study and is 14-fold more cytotoxic than H2L with an IC50 value of 2.96 ± 0.25 μM. Its possible apoptotic mechanism has been evaluated in HepG2 cells. Complex 1 promotes a dose-dependent apoptosis in HepG2 cells and the apoptosis is associated with an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Current and potential applications of bismuth-based drugs

: Bismuth compounds have been used extensively as medicines and in particular for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments. In addition to bismuth's well known gastroprotective effects and efficacy in treating H. pylori infection it also has broad anti-microbial, anti-leishmanial and anti-cancer properties. Aspects of the biological chemistry of bismuth are discussed and biomolecular targets associated with bismuth treatment are highlighted. This review strives to provide the reader with an up to date account of bismuth-based drugs currently used to treat patients and discuss potential medicinal applications of bismuth drugs with reference to recent developments in the literature. Ultimately this review aims to encourage original contributions to this exciting and important field.

Activity of antifungal organobismuth(III) compounds derived from alkyl aryl ketones against S. cerevisiae: comparison with a heterocyclic bismuth scaffold consisting of a diphenyl sulfone

A series of hypervalent organobismuth(III) compounds derived from alkyl aryl ketones [XBi(5-R'C₆H₃-2-COR)(Ar)] was synthesized to investigate the effect of the compounds’ structural features on their antifungal activity against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast to bismuth heterocycles [XBi(5-RC₆H₃-2-SO₂C₆H₄-1'-)] derived from diphenyl sulfones, a systematic quantitative structure-activity relationship study was possible. The activity depended on the Ar group and increased for heavier X atoms, whereas lengthening the alkyl chain (R) or introducing a substituent (R') reduced the activity. IBi(C₆H₄-2-COCH₃)(4-FC₆H₄) was the most active. Its activity was superior to that of the related acyclic analogues ClBi[C₆H₄-2-CH₂N(CH₃)₂](Ar) and ClBi(C₆H₄-2-SO₂tert-Bu)(Ar) and also comparable to that of heterocyclic ClBi(C₆H₄-2-SO₂C₆H₄-1'-), which was the most active compound in our previous studies. Density function theory calculations suggested that hypervalent bismuthanes undergo nucleophilic addition with a biomolecule at the bismuth atom to give an intermediate ate complex. For higher antifungal activity, adjusting the lipophilicity-hydrophilicity balance, modeling the three-dimensional molecular structure around the bismuth atom, and stabilizing the ate complex appear to be more important than tuning the Lewis acidity at the bismuth atom.

Bismuth compounds in medicinal chemistry

In recent years, the chemical potential of bismuth and bismuth compounds has been actively exploited. Bismuth salts are known for their low toxicity, making them potential valuable reagents for large-scale synthesis, which becomes more obvious when dealing with products such as active pharmaceutical ingredients or synthetic intermediates. Conversely, bismuth compounds have been widely used in medicine. After extensive use in the treatments of syphilis and other bacterial infections before the advent of modern antibiotics, bismuth compounds remain important for the treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders and also exhibit antimicrobial properties and cytotoxic activity, among others. This review updates relevant advances in the past few years, concerning the application of bismuth reagents and catalysts in innovative synthetic processes for the preparation of compounds of medicinal interest, as well as the preparation, biological evaluation and potential medicinal uses of bismuth compounds.

One dodecahedral bismuth(III) complex derived from 2-acetylpyridine N(4)-pyridylthiosemicarbazone: synthesis, crystal structure and biological evaluation

One dodecahedral bismuth(III) complex [Bi(HL)(NO(3))(3)] (1) (HL = 2-acetylpyridine N(4)-pyridylthiosemicarbazone) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The analytical data reveals the formation of 1 : 1 (metal : ligand) stoichiometry. The bismuth(III) ion is nine-coordinated by one electron pair (6s(2)) of the bismuth(III) atom, two nitrogen and one sulfur atoms from the N(2)S tridentate ligand and five oxygen atoms from three nitrate ions. Biological studies, carried out in vitro against eight selected bacteria, and four human cancer cells, respectively, have indicated that 1 shows better growth-inhibiting properties. Upon further investigation, 1 might produce cytotoxicity through apoptosis.

Antimony(V) and bismuth(V) complexes of lapachol: synthesis, crystal structure and cytotoxic activity

Antimony(V) and bismuth(V) complexes of lapachol have been synthesized by the reaction of Ph₃SbCl₂ or Ph₃BiCl₂ with lapachol (Lp) and characterized by several physicochemical techniques such as IR, and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The compounds contain six-coordinated antimony and bismuth atoms. The antimony(V) complex is a monomeric derivative, (Lp)(Ph₃Sb)OH, and the bismuth(V) complex is a dinuclear compound bridged by an oxygen atom, (Lp)₂(Ph₃Bi)₂O. Both compounds inhibited the growth of a chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line and the complex of Bi(V) was about five times more active than free lapachol. This work provides a rare example of an organo-Bi(V) complex showing significant cytotoxic activity.

Bismuth heterocycles based on a diphenyl sulfone scaffold: synthesis and substituent effect on the antifungal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A series of heterocyclic organobismuth(III) compounds 2 [ClBi(5-R-C6H(3)-2-SO2C6H(4)-1'-): R=Me, Ph, MeO, Cl, H, t-Bu, CF3, F, Me2N] was synthesized in order to study the relative importance of structure and specific substitutions in relation to their lipophilicity and antifungal activity against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A clear structure-activity relationship between the size of the inhibition zone and the value of ClogP was found for 2. These results suggest that the higher the lipophilicity, the lower the antifungal activity. Thus, 2e (R=H) and 2h (R=F), which had ClogP values of 1.18 and 1.45, respectively, were most active. In contrast, 2b (R=Ph) and 2f (R=t-Bu) had ClogP values of 3.06 and 3.00, respectively, and exhibited no antifungal activity. Compound 6b ClBi[5-(OH)C6H(3)-2-SO(2)-5'-(OH)C6H(3)-1'-] had an estimated ClogP value of 0.81 but exhibited only low activity in spite of its low ClogP value, suggesting that such a considerable decrease in lipophilicity lowers inhibition activity. Bismuth carboxylate 7b derived from p-nitrobenzoic acid and 2e exhibited inhibition activity comparable to those of 2e and 2h despite its higher lipophilicity (ClogP=2.68).

Inhibition of jack bean urease by organobismuth compounds

Inhibitory activity of organobismuth compounds, triarylbismuthanes 1 and their dihalides 2 and 3, was examined against jack bean urease. Besides triarylbismuth dichlorides 2, triarylbismuth difluorides 3 and bismuthanes 1 exhibited the activity. Of all these compounds, triphenylbismuth difluoride 3a and tris(4-fluorophenyl)bismuth dichloride 2b showed the highest activity. These results indicate that generation of the inhibitory effect is not always governed by the Lewis acidity at the bismuth center. Such a tendency of inhibition by the organobismuth compounds is in good accord with that observed in the antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori, suggesting that H. pylori-produced urease may be a therapeutic target by bismuth-based drugs.

Metabolism of bismuth subsalicylate and intracellular accumulation of bismuth by Fusarium sp. strain BI

Enrichment cultures were conducted using bismuth subsalicylate as the sole source of carbon and activated sludge as the inoculum. A pure culture was obtained and identified as a Fusarium sp. based on spore morphology and partial sequences of 18S rRNA, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and beta-tubulin genes. The isolate, named Fusarium sp. strain BI, grew to equivalent densities when using salicylate or bismuth subsalicylate as carbon sources. Bismuth nitrate at concentrations of up to 200 muM did not limit growth of this organism on glucose. The concentration of soluble bismuth in suspensions of bismuth subsalicylate decreased during growth of Fusarium sp. strain BI. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy revealed that the accumulated bismuth was localized in phosphorus-rich granules distributed in the cytoplasm and vacuoles. Long-chain polyphosphates were extracted from fresh biomass grown on bismuth subsalicylate, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry showed that these fractions also contained high concentrations of bismuth. Enzyme activity assays of crude extracts of Fusarium sp. strain BI showed that salicylate hydroxylase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase were induced during growth on salicylate, indicating that this organism degrades salicylate by conversion of salicylate to catechol, followed by ortho cleavage of the aromatic ring. Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity was not detected. Fusarium sp. strain BI grew with several other aromatic acids as carbon sources: benzoate, 3-hydroxybenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, gentisate, d-mandelate, l-phenylalanine, l-tyrosine, phenylacetate, 3-hydroxyphenylacetate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, and phenylpropionate.