Novel Cu(II) complexes as DNA-destabilizing agents and their DNA nuclease activity

Mononuclear Copper(II) Phosphinates Bearing Mono-, Bi-, and Tridentate N-Donor Ligands: DNA Binding and Cleavage, Cytotoxicity, and Nanoencapsulation

Mononuclear Cu(II) phosphinate-based compounds, [Cu(H2L1)2(Py)2] (1), [Cu(OAc)(H2L1)(Cl-tpy)] (2), and [Cu(H2L1)(Phen)2]H2L1 (3) (Py = pyridine, Cl-tpy = 4'-chloro-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate) were synthesized by reacting Cu(OAc)2·2H2O with N-donor ligands in the presence of bis(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) phosphinic acid (H3L1). The compounds were isolated as single crystals and characterized by spectroscopic and microanalytical techniques. Owing to the bioavailability and biocompatibility of copper, the oxidative DNA cleavage ability of 1-3 was studied by incubating supercoiled (SC) pUC19 DNA (40 µM). The highest cleavage efficiency of complex 3 is attributed to the strong partial intercalation of 1, 10-phenanthroline rings, which enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Encapsulation of 3 in a polydiacetylene-supported liposome nanocarrier (Lip-(3)) improves biocompatibility and anticancer activity while addressing solubility and toxicity concerns. The spherical nanoparticles (∼93 nm), characterized by UV-vis, TEM, DLS, and EDX studies exhibit stability, efficient encapsulation, and suitability for targeted drug delivery.

Development of Cu(II) 4-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone complexes that induce mitochondrial DNA damage and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in liver cancer

Cisplatin remains the most widely used chemotherapeutic agent in cancer treatment; however, its inherent drawbacks have fueled the development of novel metalloanticancer drugs. In this study, two novel Cu(II) complexes (Cu1 and Cu2) were designed and synthesized. Notably, these Cu(II) complexes showed higher cytotoxicity against HL-7402 cells than cisplatin. Moreover, Cu(II) complexes significantly inhibited liver cancer growth in a xenograft model. A mechanism study revealed that the Cu(II) complexes reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of cancer cells, produced excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, and ultimately facilitated cancer cell apoptosis.

A review on the recent advances of interaction studies of anticancer metal-based drugs with therapeutic targets, DNA and RNAs

Metal-based drugs hold promise as potent anticancer agents owing to their unique interactions with cellular targets. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of the intricate molecular interactions of metal-based anticancer compounds with specific therapeutic targets in cancer cells. Advanced computational and experimental methodologies delineate the binding mechanisms, structural dynamics and functional outcomes of these interactions. In addition, the review sheds light on the precise modes of action of these drugs, their efficacy and the potential avenues for further optimization in cancer-treatment strategies and the development of targeted and effective metal-based therapies for combating various forms of cancer.