Ternary and binary copper(II) complexes: synthesis, characterization, ROS-inductive, proteasome inhibitory, and anticancer properties

Dinuclear and mononuclear metal(II) polypyridyl complexes against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum and their mode of action

BACKGROUND

Malaria remains one of the most virulent and deadliest parasitic disease in the world, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Widespread occurrence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains from the Greater Mekong Subregion is alarming. This hinders the national economies, as well as being a major drawback in the effective control and elimination of malaria worldwide. Clearly, an effective anti-malarial drug is urgently needed.

METHODS

The dinuclear and mononuclear copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes were synthesized in ethanolic solution and characterized by various physical measurements (FTIR, CHN elemental analysis, solubility, ESI-MS, UV-Visible, conductivity and magnetic moment, and NMR). X-ray crystal structure of the dicopper(II) complex was determined. The in vitro haemolytic activities of these metal complexes were evaluated spectroscopically on B+ blood while the anti-malarial potency was performed in vitro on blood stage drug-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (Pf3D7) and artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum IPC5202 (Pf5202) with fluorescence dye. Mode of action of metal complexes were conducted to determine the formation of reactive oxygen species using PNDA and DCFH-DA dyes, JC-1 depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, malarial 20S proteasome inhibition with parasite lysate, and morphological studies using Giemsa and Hoechst stains.

RESULTS

Copper(II) complexes showed anti-malarial potency against both Pf3D7 and Pf5202 in sub-micromolar to micromolar range. The zinc(II) complexes were effective against Pf3D7 with excellent therapeutic index but encountered total resistance against Pf5202. Among the four, the dinuclear copper(II) complex was the most potent against both strains. The zinc(II) complexes caused no haemolysis of RBC while copper(II) complexes induced increased haemolysis with increasing concentration. Further mechanistic studies of both copper(II) complexes on both Pf3D7 and Pf5202 strains showed induction of ROS, 20S malarial proteasome inhibition, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and morphological features indicative of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The dinuclear [Cu(phen)-4,4'-bipy-Cu(phen)](NO₃)₄ is highly potent and can overcome the total drug-resistance of Pf5202 towards chloroquine and artemisinin. The other three copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes were only effective towards the drug-sensitive Pf3D7, with the latter causing no haemolysis of RBC. Their mode of action involves multiple targets.

A benzothiazole-based fluorescent and colorimetric probe for the detection of ClO- and its application to zebrafish and water sample

A benzothiazole-based fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor BZD ((E)-2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-5-((4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenol) was applied for detecting ClO^-. BZD showed fluorescence quenching and color variation for ClO^- via oxidative reaction between ClO^- and the imine bond. It could effectively detect ClO^- over various competitive analytes. Detection limit for ClO^- was calculated to be 1.74 μM by fluorescent method and 16.44 μM by colorimetric one, respectively. Additionally, BZD could be utilized for sensing ClO^- in zebrafish, real water sample and paper strip. The photophysical characteristics and sensing mechanism of BZD to ClO^- were studied by fluorescent and UV-visible spectroscopy, NMR titration, and ESI-mass spectrometry.

Induction of Apoptosis and Autophagy by Ternary Copper Complex Towards Breast Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Copper complex has been gaining much attention in anticancer research as targeted agent since cancer cells uptake more copper than non-cancerous cells. Our group has synthesised a ternary copper complex which is composed of 1,10-phenanthroline and tyrosine [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H₂0. These two payloads are designed to cleave DNA and inhibit protein degradation system (proteasome) concurrently in cancer cells, making this copper complex a dual-target compound.

OBJECTIVE

Current study was carried out to investigate the mode of cell death and role of autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H₂0 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

METHODS

Growth inhibition of [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H₂0 towards MDA-MB-231 and human non-cancerous MCF10A breast cells was determined by MTT assay. Annexin-V-FITC/PI and cell cycle analysis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of p53, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3 and LC3 were determined using western blot analysis. The cells were then co-treated with hydroxychloroquine to ascertain the role of autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H₂0.

RESULTS

[Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 inhibited the growth of cancer cells dose-dependently with less toxicity towards MCF10A cells. Additionally, [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells possibly via regulation of p53, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3 and capase-7. The expression of LC3II was upregulated in both cancer cell lines upon treatment with [Cu(phen)(L-tyr) Cl].3H₂0, indicating the induction of autophagy. Co-treatment with autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine significantly enhanced growth inhibition of both cell lines, suggesting that the autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr) Cl].3H₂0 in both breast cancer cells was promoting cell survival.

CONCLUSION

[Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 holds great potential to be developed for breast cancer treatment.

Ternary Copper (II) Complex Induced Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Colorectal Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

The lack of specificity, severe side effects, and development of drug resistance have largely limited the use of platinum-based compounds in cancer treatment. Therefore, copper complexes have emerged as potential alternatives to platinum-based compounds.

OBJECTIVE

Ternary copper (II) complex incorporated with 1-10-phenanthroline and L-tyrosine was investigated for its anti-cancer effects in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.

METHODS

Cytotoxic effects of ternary copper (II) complex in HT-29 cells were evaluated using MTT assay, Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry. Apoptosis induction was studied by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining and mitochondrial membrane potential analysis (JC-10 staining) using flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by DCFH-DA assay. The expression of proteins involved in the apoptotic signalling pathway (p53, caspases, and PARP-1) was evaluated by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Ternary copper (II) complex reduced the cell viability of HT-29 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with IC50 of 2.4 ± 0.4 and 0.8 ± 0.04 µM at 24 and 48 hours, respectively. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated induction of S-phase cell cycle arrest. Morphological evaluation and Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry analysis confirmed induction of apoptosis that was further supported by cleavage and activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP-1. Mutant p53 was also downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. No LDH release, mitochondrial membrane potential disruption, and ROS production were observed.

CONCLUSION

Ternary copper (II) complex holds great potential to be developed for colorectal cancer treatment.

Copper(II) Complexes with Mixed Heterocycle Ligands as Promising Antibacterial and Antitumor Species

Complexes with mixed ligands [Cu(N-N)₂(pmtp)](ClO₄)₂ ((1) N-N: 2,2′-bipyridine; (2) L: 1,10-phenanthroline and pmpt: 5-phenyl-7-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine) were synthesized and structurally and biologically characterized. Compound (1) crystallizes into space group Pa and (2) in P-1. Both complexes display an intermediate stereochemistry between the two five-coordinated ones. The biological tests indicated that the two compounds exhibited superoxide scavenging capacity, intercalative DNA properties, and metallonuclease activity. Tests on various cell systems indicated that the two complexes neither interfere with the proliferation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae or BJ healthy skin cells, nor cause hemolysis in the active concentration range. Nevertheless, the compounds showed antibacterial potential, with complex (2) being significantly more active than complex (1) against all tested bacterial strains, both in planktonic and biofilm growth state. Both complexes exhibited a very good activity against B16 melanoma cells, with a higher specificity being displayed by compound (1). Taken together, the results indicate that complexes (1) and (2) have specific biological relevance, with potential for the development of antitumor or antimicrobial drugs.

Ternary copper(II) complex of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 1,10-phenanthroline with several pharmacological properties and an adequate safety profile

We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a ternary copper complex, [Cu(5HTP)(phen)(H₂O)](NO₃).2H₂O, with the antioxidant agent 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and phenanthroline (phen, added to improve its lipophilicity and membrane transport). The crystal structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The complex showed antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and antimetastatic properties with an adequate safety profile. The interaction of the metal with phen promotes cellular copper accumulation and cytotoxicity on human lung A549 cell line (IC₅₀ = 3.6 μM). Furthermore, the viability of the normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) is not altered by the complex. An oxidative stress mechanism for the anticancer effect has been determined: cellular increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease of the glutathione (GSH) and oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratio and alteration of the mitochondrial potential. The complex also displays antimetastatic activities with inhibition of cell adhesion, invasion and migration. It has not mutagenic behavior and no toxicity on Artemia salina indicating its potential to act as an effective and safety antimicrobial and antitumor drug.