Co(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of fluoroquinolones: Synthesis, spectroscopical studies and biological evaluation against Trypanosoma cruzi

A perception into binary and ternary copper (II) complexes: synthesis, characterization, DFT modeling, antimicrobial activity, protein binding screen, and amino acid interaction

Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages is the third goal of the sustainable development plan, so it was necessary to identify the most important problems that threaten health in our world. The World Health Organization declared that antibiotic resistance is one of the uppermost global public health threats facing humanity and searching for new antibiotics is slow. This problem can be approached by improving available drugs to combat various bacterial threats. To circumvent bacterial resistance, three copper(II) complexes based on the pefloxacin drug were prepared and characterized using analytical, spectroscopic, and thermal techniques. The resulting data suggested the formation of one octahedral binary and two distorted square pyramidal ternary complexes. Fluorescence spectra results revealed the formation of a turn-on fluorophore for amino acid detection. Computational calculations investigated quantum and reactivity parameters. Molecular electrostatic potential profiles and noncovalent bond interaction-reduced density gradient analysis indicated the active sites on the complex surface. The complexes were subjected to six microbial species, where the octahedral binary complex provoked its antimicrobial potency in comparison with ternary complexes. The enhanced antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacterium E-coli compared to gentamicin was exhibited by the three complexes. Docking simulation was performed based on the crystal structure of E. coli and S. pneumoniae receptors using 5I2D and 6O15 codes. The binary complex exhibited a potent fitness score with 5I2D (TBE = - 107 kcal/mol) while ternary complexes displayed the highest docked score of fitness with 6O15.

A Study on Repositioning Nalidixic Acid via Lanthanide Complexation: Synthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxicity and DNA/Protein Binding Studies

“Drug repositioning” is a modern strategy used to uncover new applications for out-of-date drugs. In this context, nalidixic acid, the first member of the quinolone class with limited use today, has been selected to obtain nine new metal complexes with lanthanide cations (La³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺); the experimental data suggest that the quinolone acts as a bidentate ligand, binding to the metal ion via the keto and carboxylate oxygen atoms, findings that are supported by DFT calculations. The cytotoxic activity of the complexes has been studied using the tumoral cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and LoVo, and a normal cell line, HUVEC. The most active compounds of the series display selective activity against LoVo. Their affinity for DNA and the manner of binding have been tested using UV–Vis spectroscopy and competitive binding studies; our results indicate that major and minor groove binding play a significant role in these interactions. The affinity towards serum proteins has also been evaluated, the complexes displaying higher affinity towards albumin than apotransferrin.

Rare-Earth Metal Complexes of the Antibacterial Drug Oxolinic Acid: Synthesis, Characterization, DNA/Protein Binding and Cytotoxicity Studies

"Drug repositioning" is a current trend which proved useful in the search for new applications for existing, failed, no longer in use or abandoned drugs, particularly when addressing issues such as bacterial or cancer cells resistance to current therapeutic approaches. In this context, six new complexes of the first-generation quinolone oxolinic acid with rare-earth metal cations (Y³⁺, La³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺) have been synthesized and characterized. The experimental data suggest that the quinolone acts as a bidentate ligand, binding to the metal ion via the keto and carboxylate oxygen atoms; these findings are supported by DFT (density functional theory) calculations for the Sm³⁺ complex. The cytotoxic activity of the complexes, as well as the ligand, has been studied on MDA-MB 231 (human breast adenocarcinoma), LoVo (human colon adenocarcinoma) and HUVEC (normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells) cell lines. UV-Vis spectroscopy and competitive binding studies show that the complexes display binding affinities (K_b) towards double stranded DNA in the range of 9.33 × 10⁴ - 10.72 × 10⁵. Major and minor groove-binding most likely play a significant role in the interactions of the complexes with DNA. Moreover, the complexes bind human serum albumin more avidly than apo-transferrin.

Synthesis, structural, spectral and antimicrobial activity studies of copper-nalidixic acid complex with 1,10-phenanthroline: DFT and molecular docking

The mix-ligand coordination compound, [Cu(Nal)(Phen)(H₂O)].(Phen).ClO₄.(H₂O)₂ (Nal= Monoanion of nalidixic acid and Phen = 1,10- Phenanthroline), was investigated by focusing on its supramolecular architecture. Structural properties of the complex were characterized by XRD, spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. The complex has crystallized in the triclinic crystal system and P-1 space group. In the structure where the Cu (II) ion is in the center of symmetry, nalidixate anion and water molecule coordinated to Cu (II) metal through oxygen atoms while phen coordinated through nitrogen atoms. The monomer units are connected by hydrogen bonds to form supramolecular structures. The ground state molecular structure of the complex was optimized using DFT/B3LYP/LANL2DZ method, and compared with experimental X-ray geometry. The FT-IR study of the complex was carried out in the middle IR region focusing on the characteristic vibrations of the free ligands and the complex. Scaled calculated vibrational frequencies are compared with experimental values. The magnetic properties of the complex were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Further ultra-violet (UV)-visible spectral analysis was also performed to understand optical properties. The experimental UV-Vis data were associated with the calculated frontier molecular orbitals HOMO/LUMO and, molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP) are also investigated. Biological study of the complex against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans showed very strong antibacterial activity with MIC values ranging from 128 μg/ml to 1 μg/ml concentration. The optimized complex is docked to the DNA Gyrase (3LPX) and gyrase tip IIA topoisomerase (3UC1).

Inhibition of C. albicans Dimorphic Switch by Cobalt(II) Complexes with Ligands Derived from Pyrazoles and Dinitrobenzoate: Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity

Seven cobalt(II) complexes of pyrazole derivatives and dinitrobenzoate ligands were synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure was determined for one of the ligands and one of the complexes. The analysis and spectral data showed that all the cobalt complexes had octahedral geometries, which was supported by DFT calculations. The complexes and their free ligands were evaluated against fungal strains of Candida albicans and emerging non-albicans species and epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. We obtained antifungal activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 31.3 to 250 µg mL-1. The complexes were more active against C. krusei, showing MIC values between 31.25 and 62.5 µg mL-1. In addition, some ligands (L1-L6) and complexes (5 and Co(OAc)2 · 4H2O) significantly reduced the yeast to hypha transition of C. albicans at 500 µg mL-1 (inhibition ranging from 30 to 54%). Finally, the complexes and ligands did not present trypanocidal activity and were not toxic to Vero cells. Our results suggest that complexes of cobalt(II) with ligands derived from pyrazoles and dinitrobenzoate may be an attractive alternative for the treatment of diseases caused by fungi, especially because they target one of the most important virulence factors of C. albicans.

In vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of ternary copper(II) complexes and in vivo evaluation of the most promising complex

In order to improve the previously observed antichagasic activity of Cu(II) complexes containing 2-chlorobenzhydrazide (2-CH), we report herein the synthesis and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of novel copper complexes containing 2-methoxybenzhydrazide (2-MH), 4-methoxybenzhydrazide (4-MH) and three α-diimine ligands, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2-bipyridine (bipy) and 4-4'-dimethoxy-2-2'-bipyridine (dmb). Two of these complexes showed higher in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity when compared to benznidazole, the main drug used in Chagas disease treatment. One of them, the copper complex with 4-MH and dmb, [Cu(4-MH)(dmb)(ClO₄)₂], exhibited a higher selectivity index than that recommended for preclinical studies. Considering this observation, complex [Cu(4-MH)(dmb)(ClO₄)₂] was selected for preliminary in vivo assays, which verified that this compound was able to reduce parasitemia by 64% at the peak of infection. Further investigations were performed on all compounds. The Cu(II) complexes bind to ct-DNA with K_b values in the range of 10³-10⁴ M^-1, with [Cu(4-MH)(dmb)(ClO₄)₂] showing the highest K_b value (1.45 × 10⁴ M^-1). Molecular docking simulations predicted that [Cu(4-MH)(dmb)(ClO₄)₂] binds in the minor groove of the double helix of ct-DNA and forms one hydrogen bond.

Fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance studies of norfloxacin and N-donor mixed-ligand ternary copper(II) complexes: Stability and interaction with SDS micelles

The stability of ternary copper(II) complexes of a heterocyclic ligand, L (L being 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)) and the fluorescent antibacterial agent norfloxacin (NFX) as the second ligand was studied at pH7.4 and different ionic strengths. Fluorescence quenching upon titration of NFX with the binary complexes allowed to obtain stability constants for NFX binding, K_b, as a function of ionic strength. The K_b values vary by more than two orders of magnitude when buffer concentration varies from 0.5 to 100mM. It was observed that previously synthesized ternary complexes dissociate in buffer according with the obtained stability constants. This shows that equimolar solutions of NFX and binary complexes are equivalent to solutions of synthesized ternary complexes. The interaction of the ternary copper complexes with anionic SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) micelles was studied by fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Titration of NFX-loaded SDS micelles with the complexes Cu:L allowed to determine the stability constants inside the micelles. Fluorescence quenching demonstrated that SDS micelles increase the stability constants by factors around 50. EPR spectra gave details of the copper(II) local environment, and demonstrated that the structure of the ternary complexes inside SDS micelles is different from that in buffer. Mononuclear ternary complexes formed inside the micelles, while in buffer most ternary complexes are binuclear. The results show that anionic membrane interfaces increase formation of copper fluoroquinolone complexes, which can influence bioavailability, membrane diffusion, and mechanism of action of the antibiotics.

Current drug therapy and pharmaceutical challenges for Chagas disease

One of the most significant health problems in the American continent in terms of human health, and socioeconomic impact is Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Infection was originally transmitted by reduviid insects, congenitally from mother to fetus, and by oral ingestion in sylvatic/rural environments, but blood transfusions, organ transplants, laboratory accidents, and sharing of contaminated syringes also contribute to modern day transmission. Likewise, Chagas disease used to be endemic from Northern Mexico to Argentina, but migrations have earned it global. The parasite has a complex life cycle, infecting different species, and invading a variety of cells - including muscle and nerve cells of the heart and gastrointestinal tract - in the mammalian host. Human infection outcome is a potentially fatal cardiomyopathy, and gastrointestinal tract lesions. In absence of a vaccine, vector control and treatment of patients are the only tools to control the disease. Unfortunately, the only drugs now available for Chagas' disease, Nifurtimox and Benznidazole, are relatively toxic for adult patients, and require prolonged administration. Benznidazole is the first choice for Chagas disease treatment due to its lower side effects than Nifurtimox. However, different strategies are being sought to overcome Benznidazole's toxicity including shorter or intermittent administration schedules-either alone or in combination with other drugs. In addition, a long list of compounds has shown trypanocidal activity, ranging from natural products to specially designed molecules, re-purposing drugs commercialized to treat other maladies, and homeopathy. In the present review, we will briefly summarize the upturns of current treatment of Chagas disease, discuss the increment on research and scientific publications about this topic, and give an overview of the state-of-the-art research aiming to produce an alternative medication to treat T. cruzi infection.

Norfloxacin and N-Donor Mixed-Ligand Copper(II) Complexes: Synthesis, Albumin Interaction, and Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity

Copper(II) complexes with the first-generation quinolone antibacterial agent norfloxacin containing a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were prepared and characterized by IR, EPR spectra, molar conductivity, and elemental analyses. The experimental data suggest that norfloxacin was coordinated to copper(II) through the carboxylato and ketone oxygen atoms. The interaction of the copper(II) complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using fluorescence quenching of the tryptophan residues and copper(II) EPR spectroscopy. The results of fluorescence titration revealed that copper(II) complexes have a moderate ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of the albumins through a static quenching mechanism. EPR experiments showed that BSA and HSA Cu(II) sites compete with NOR for Cu(II)-bipy and Cu(II)-phen to form protein mixed-ligand complexes. Copper(II) complexes, together with the corresponding ligands, were evaluated for their trypanocidal activity in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The tests performed using bloodstream trypomastigotes showed that the Cu(II)-N-donor precursors and the metal complexes were more active than the free fluoroquinolone.

Metal complexes of quinolone antibiotics and their applications: an update

Quinolones are synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics with good oral absorption and excellent bioavailability. Due to the chemical functions found on their nucleus (a carboxylic acid function at the 3-position, and in most cases a basic piperazinyl ring (or another N-heterocycle) at the 7-position, and a carbonyl oxygen atom at the 4-position) quinolones bind metal ions forming complexes in which they can act as bidentate, as unidentate and as bridging ligand, respectively. In the polymeric complexes in solid state, multiple modes of coordination are simultaneously possible. In strongly acidic conditions, quinolone molecules possessing a basic side nucleus are protonated and appear as cations in the ionic complexes. Interaction with metal ions has some important consequences for the solubility, pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of quinolones, and is also involved in the mechanism of action of these bactericidal agents. Many metal complexes with equal or enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to the parent quinolones were obtained. New strategies in the design of metal complexes of quinolones have led to compounds with anticancer activity. Analytical applications of complexation with metal ions were oriented toward two main directions: determination of quinolones based on complexation with metal ions or, reversely, determination of metal ions based on complexation with quinolones.

Norfloxacin Zn(II)-based complexes: acid base ionization constant determination, DNA and albumin binding properties and the biological effect against Trypanosoma cruzi

Zn(II) complexes with norfloxacin (NOR) in the absence or in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were obtained and characterized. In both complexes, the ligand NOR was coordinated through a keto and a carboxyl oxygen. Tetrahedral and octahedral geometries were proposed for [ZnCl2(NOR)]·H2O (1) and [ZnCl2(NOR)(phen)]·2H2O (2), respectively. Since the biological activity of the chemicals depends on the pH value, pH titrations of the Zn(II) complexes were performed. UV spectroscopic studies of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) have suggested that they can bind to CT DNA with moderate affinity in an intercalative mode. The interactions between the Zn(II) complexes and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy at pH 7.4. The experimental data showed static quenching of BSA fluorescence, indicating that both complexes bind to BSA. A modified Stern-Volmer plot for the quenching by complex 2 demonstrated preferential binding near one of the two tryptophan residues of BSA. The binding constants obtained (K b ) showed that BSA had a two orders of magnitude higher affinity for complex 2 than for 1. The results also showed that the affinity of both complexes for BSA was much higher than for DNA. This preferential interaction with protein sites could be important to their biological mechanisms of action. The analysis in vitro of the Zn(II) complexes and corresponding ligand were assayed against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease and the data showed that complex 2 was the most active against bloodstream trypomastigotes.

Atypical fluoroquinolone gold(III) chelates as potential anticancer agents: relevance of DNA and protein interactions for their mechanism of action

Quinolones are known for their antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Gold(III) compounds constitute an emerging class of biologically active substances, of special interest as potential anticancer agents. In this work three gold(III) complexes of the fluoroquinolones antimicrobial agents norfloxacin (NOR), levofloxacin (LEVO) and sparfloxacin (SPAR) were prepared and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. In these complexes, NOR, LEVO and SPAR act as bidentate neutral ligands bound to gold(III) through the nitrogen atoms of the piperazine ring, which is an unusual mode of coordination for this class of compounds. Two chloride ions occupy the remaining coordination sites. The cytotoxic activity of the fluoroquinolones and their gold(III) complexes was tested against the A20 (murine lymphoma), B16-F10 (murine melanoma) and K562 (human myeloid leukemia) tumor cell lines as well as the L919 (murine lung fibroblasts) and MCR-5 (human lung fibroblasts) normal cells lines. All complexes were more active than their corresponding free ligands. Complex [AuCl(2)(LEVO)]Cl was selected for DNA fragmentation and cell cycle analysis. Spectroscopic titration with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) showed that the complexes can bind weakly to CT DNA, probably by an external contact (electrostatic or groove binding). The complexes exhibit good binding propensity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) having relatively high binding constant values.

Searching for new chemotherapies for tropical diseases: ruthenium-clotrimazole complexes display high in vitro activity against Leishmania major and Trypanosoma cruzi and low toxicity toward normal mammalian cells

Eight new ruthenium complexes of clotrimazole (CTZ) with high antiparasitic activity have been synthesized, cis,fac-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(DMSO)(3)(CTZ)] (1), cis,cis,trans-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(DMSO)(2)(CTZ)(2)] (2), Na[Ru(III)Cl(4)(DMSO)(CTZ)] (3), Na[trans-Ru(III)Cl(4)(CTZ)(2)] (4), [Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cymene)Cl(2)(CTZ)] (5), [Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cymene)(bipy)(CTZ)][BF(4)](2) (6), [Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cymene)(en)(CTZ)][BF(4)](2) (7), and [Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cymene)(acac)(CTZ)][BF(4)] (8) (bipy = bipyridine; en = ethlylenediamine; acac = acetylacetonate). The crystal structures of compounds 4-8 are described. Complexes 1-8 are active against promastigotes of Leishmania major and epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Most notably, complex 5 increases the activity of CTZ by factors of 110 and 58 against L. major and T. cruzi, with no appreciable toxicity to human osteoblasts, resulting in nanomolar and low micromolar lethal doses and therapeutic indexes of 500 and 75, respectively. In a high-content imaging assay on L. major-infected intraperitoneal mice macrophages, complex 5 showed significant inhibition on the proliferation of intracellular amastigotes (IC(70) = 29 nM), while complex 8 displayed some effect at a higher concentration (IC(40) = 1 μM).