Synthesis, characterization and biological activities of copper(II) complex of 2-Benzimidazolyl-urea and the nitrate salt of 2-Benzimidazolyl-urea

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of 2-Benzimidazolyl-Urea with DPPC Lipid Membrane and Comparison with a Copper(II) Complex Derivative

Benzimidazole derivatives have gained attention recently due to their wide pharmacological activity acting as anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, analgesic, and anti-aggregatory agents. They are also common ligands in transition metal coordination chemistry, forming complex compounds with enhanced biological properties, especially in targeted cancer therapy. A key issue to understand anti-tumour effects is drug permeability through cellular membranes, as poor permeability outcomes can avert further futile drug development. In this work, we conducted atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and biased MD simulations to explore the interactions of 2-benzimidazolyl-urea with a phospholipid bilayer (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC) together with a previously synthesized copper(II) complex compound. The aim was to study the permeability of these compounds by assessing their free energy profile along the bilayer normal. The simulations indicated that both the ligand (2-benzimidazolyl-urea, BZIMU) and the complex show a similar behaviour, yielding high energy barriers for the permeation process. However, with increasing concentration of BZIMU, the molecules tend to aggregate and form a cluster, leading to the formation of a pore. Clustering and pore formation can possibly explain the previously observed cytotoxicity of the BZIMU molecule via membrane damage.

The periodic table of urea derivative: small molecules of zinc(II) and nickel(II) of diverse antimicrobial and antiproliferative applications

Two complexes of Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions with the urea derivative, 2-benzimidazolyl-urea (BZIMU), of formulae [ZnBZIMU)₂(H₂O)](NO₃)₂ (1) and [Ni(BZIMU)₂(CH₃CH₂OH)₂](NO₃)₂ (2) were synthesized and characterized by their melting point, elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, UV-Vis and ¹H-NMR), High-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS), molar conductivity and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structures of 1-2 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The antiproliferative activity of 1-2 was tested in vitro against human adenocarcinoma cell lines: cervix (HeLa) and breast (MCF-7). Their toxicity was surveyed against normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). The bioactivity mechanism of 1-2 and their related analogues of copper and silver metallodrugs are rationalized by the means of computations. The antimicrobial activity of 1-2 against Escherichia coli (E. coli) is also evaluated. The complexes [ZnBZIMU)₂(H₂O)](NO₃)₂ (1) and [Ni(BZIMU)₂(CH₃CH₂OH)₂](NO₃)₂ (2) (BZIMU= 2-Benzimidazolyl-urea), were tested in vitro against HeLa and MCF-7 cells. Their toxicity was surveyed against normal MRC-5 cells. The association of the microbiota with the antiproliferative activity of 1-2 was investigated against Escherichia coli.