Chelators for Treatment of Iron and Copper Overload: Shift from Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds to Polymers

Article review: Brazilin as potential anticancer agent

Brazilin is the main compound in Caesalpinia sappan and Haematoxylum braziletto, which is identified as a homoisoflavonoid based on its molecular structure. These plants are traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory to treat fever, hemorrhage, rheumatism, skin problems, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, brazilin has increased its interest in cancer studies. Several findings have shown that brazilin has cytotoxic effects on colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma, cervical cancer, bladder carcinoma, also other cancers, along with numerous facts about its possible mechanisms that will be discussed. Besides its flavonoid content, brazilin is able to chelate metal ions. A study has proved that brazilin could be used as an antituberculosis agent based on its ability to chelate iron. This possible iron-chelating of brazilin and all the studies discussed in this review will lead us to the statement that, in the future, brazilin has the potency to be a chemo-preventive and anticancer agent. The article review aimed to determine the brazilin mechanism and pathogenesis of cancer.

Iron as an emerging therapeutic target in critically ill patients

The multiple roles of iron in the body have been known for decades, particularly its involvement in iron overload diseases such as hemochromatosis. More recently, compelling evidence has emerged regarding the critical role of non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI), also known as catalytic iron, in the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). These trace amounts of iron constitute a small percentage of the serum iron, yet they are heavily implicated in the exacerbation of diseases, primarily by catalyzing the formation of reactive oxygen species, which promote oxidative stress. Additionally, catalytic iron activates macrophages and facilitates the growth of pathogens. This review aims to shed light on this underappreciated phenomenon and explore the various common sources of NTBI in ICU patients, which lead to transient iron dysregulation during acute phases of disease. Iron serves as the linchpin of a vicious cycle in many ICU pathologies that are often multifactorial. The clinical evidence showing its detrimental impact on patient outcomes will be outlined in the major ICU pathologies. Finally, different therapeutic strategies will be reviewed, including the targeting of proteins involved in iron metabolism, conventional chelation therapy, and the combination of renal replacement therapy with chelation therapy.

New Hybrid Compounds Incorporating Natural Products as Multifunctional Agents against Alzheimer's Disease

A series of new hybrid derivatives 1a-c, 2a-c, 3a-c, 4a-c, 5a-c, inspired by nature, were synthesized and studied as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These compounds were designed to merge together the trifluoromethyl benzyloxyaminic bioactive moiety, previously identified, with different acids available in nature. The ability of the synthesized compounds to chelate biometals, such as Cu2+, Zn2+ and Fe2+, was studied by UV-Vis spectrometer, and through a preliminary screening their antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH. Then, selected compounds were tested by in vitro ABTS free radical method and ex vivo rat brain TBARS assay. Compounds 2a-c, combining the strongest antioxidant and biometal chelators activities, were studied for their ability to contrast Aβ1-40 fibrillization process. Finally, starting from the promising profile obtained for compound 2a, we evaluated if it could be able to induce a positive cross-interaction between transthyretin (TTR) and Aβ in presence and in absence of Cu2+.

Cyclodextrin Polymers Functionalized with Histidine and Carcinine as Chelating Therapeutics for Copper Dyshomeostasis

In recent years, cyclodextrin polymeric nanoparticles have been designed to introduce new properties and extend their medical applications. Based on the features of cyclodextrins, we derivatized cross-linked cyclodextrin polymers with histidine or carcinine moieties. We found that amylases do not hydrolyze cyclodextrin polymers. The new polymers can form copper(II) complexes and may act as nanochelators to counteract copper(II) dyshomeostasis-related diseases. Furthermore, the copper(II) complexes show superoxide dismutase activity, similar to free carcinine and histidine complexes. The antioxidant biological activity of the copper(II) complex formed in situ may protect cells from oxidative damage related to copper dyshomeostasis.

Polymer Nanoantidotes

Intoxication is one of the most common causes of accidental death globally. Although some antidotes capable of neutralizing the toxicity of certain xenobiotics have become well established, the current reality is that clinicians primarily rely on nonspecific extracorporeal techniques to remove toxins. Nano-intervention strategies in which nanoantidotes neutralize toxicity in situ via physical interaction, chemical bonding, or biomimetic clearance have begun to show clinical potential. However, most nanoantidotes remain in the proof-of-concept stage, and the difficulty of constructing clinical relevance models and the unclear pharmacokinetics of nanoantidotes hinder their translation to clinic. This Concept reviews the detoxification mechanisms of polymer nanoantidotes and predicts the opportunities and challenges associated with their clinical application.

Fluorene methoxycarbonyl-PEG-deferoxamine conjugates "hitchhike" with albumin in situ for iron overload therapy

Although deferoxamine (DFO) has been approved for the treatment the iron overloaded diseases, its clinical application is impeded by very short circulation time and its relating toxicity. In this work, the fluorene methoxycarbonyl (FMOC) for "albumin hitchhiking" was used to prolong the plasma circulation time of DFO and reduce toxicity. The designed FMOC-PEG-DFO conjugates were found to reversible bind to albumin and gradually release DFO in vivo. Herein, the FMOC-PEG₁₀₀₀-DFO conjugates could increase 30 times the blood circulation time of DFO with the improvement of the iron elimination efficacy. Meanwhile, the conjugates markedly reduced the cytotoxicity of DFO. Taken together, the result demonstrated the FMOC-PEG₁₀₀₀-DFO conjugates could be a potential therapeutic choice for iron-overload-related diseases.

Potentiometric Performance of Ion-Selective Electrodes Based on Polyaniline and Chelating Agents: Detection of Fe2+ or Fe3+ Ions

We constructed a sensor for the determination of Fe²⁺ and/or Fe³⁺ ions that consists of a polyaniline layer as an ion-to-electron transducer; on top of it, chelating molecules are deposited (which can selectively chelate specific ions) and protected with a non-biofouling poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)s layer. We have shown that our potentiometric sensing layers show a rapid response to the presence of Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺ ions, do not experience interference with other ions (such as Cu²⁺), and work in a biological environment in the presence of bovine serum albumin (as a model serum protein). The sensing layers detect iron ions in the concentration range from 5 nM to 50 µM.