Orally active antioxidative copper(II) aspirinate: synthesis, structure characterization, superoxide scavenging activity, and in vitro and in vivo antioxidative evaluations

A Perspective - can copper complexes be developed as a novel class of therapeutics?

Although copper-ligand complexes appear to be promising as a new class of therapeutics, other than the family of copper(ii) coordination compounds referred to as casiopeínas these compounds have yet to reach the clinic for human use. The pharmaceutical challenges associated with developing copper-based therapeutics will be presented in this article along with a discussion of the potential for high-throughput chemistry, computer-aided drug design, and nanotechnology to address the development of this important class of drug candidates.

Anti-inflammatory activity and enhanced COX-2 selectivity of nitric oxide-donating zinc(ii)-NSAID complexes

Zinc(ii)-NSAID complexes supported by NO-donating 1,10-phenanthrolinefuroxan exhibit anti-inflammatory activities through selective inhibition of the COX-2 pathway. The strategy represents a general procedure to convert non-selective or COX-1 selective NSAIDs to selective COX-2 inhibitors.

An investigation on 3-acetyl-7-methoxy-coumarin Schiff bases and their Ru(ii) metallates with potent antiproliferative activity and enhanced LDH and NO release

New cyclometallated ruthenium(ii) complexes of 3-acetyl-7-methoxycoumarin-4N-substituted thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectral techniques.

X-Ray Crystallographic Analysis, EPR Studies, and Computational Calculations of a Cu(II) Tetramic Acid Complex

In this work we present a structural and spectroscopic analysis of a copper(II) N-acetyl-5-arylidene tetramic acid by using both experimental and computational techniques. The crystal structure of the Cu(II) complex was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and shows that the copper ion lies on a centre of symmetry, with each ligand ion coordinated to two copper ions, forming a 2D sheet. Moreover, the EPR spectroscopic properties of the Cu(II) tetramic acid complex were also explored and discussed. Finally, a computational approach was performed in order to obtain a detailed and precise insight of product structures and properties. It is hoped that this study can enrich the field of functional supramolecular systems, giving place to the formation of coordination-driven self-assembly architectures.

Zinc(II) and Co(II) Complexes based on Bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl) Aniline: Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Antioxidative Activity

Bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)aniline (L) and its complexes, [Zn(L)(Cl)2] and [Co(L)(Cl)2], have been synthesised and the structures of both complexes have been determined. [Zn(L)(Cl)2] can be described as distorted tetrahedron, while [Co(L)(Cl)2] has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In addition, the complexes were found to possess potent hydroxyl antioxidant activity and be better than standard antioxidants like vitamin C and mannitol. In particular, [Co(L)(Cl)2] displayed excellent activity towards the superoxide radical.

Microwave assisted synthesis and biomedical potency of salicyloyloxy and 2-methoxybenzoyloxy androstane and stigmastane derivatives

A convenient microwave assisted solvent free synthesis as well as conventional synthesis of salicyloyloxy and 2-methoxybenzoyloxy androstane and stigmastane derivatives 7-19 from appropriate steroidal precursors 1-6 and methyl salicylate is reported. The microwave assisted synthesis in most cases was more successful regarding reaction time and product yields. It was more environmentally friendly too, compared to the conventional method. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the synthesized derivatives were evaluated in a series of in vitro tests, as well as their inhibition potency exerted on hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes (Δ(5)-3βHSD, 17βHSD2 and 17βHSD3). All of the tested compounds were effective in OH radical neutralization, particularly compounds 9, 11 and 14, which exhibited about 100-fold stronger activity than commercial antioxidants BHT and BHA. In DPPH radical scavenging new compounds were effective, but less than reference compounds. 2-Methoxybenzoyl ester 10 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells. Most compounds inhibited growth of PC-3 cells, where salicyloyloxy stigmastane derivative 15 showed the best inhibition potency. Compounds 9, 10 and 11 were the best inhibitors of 17βHSD2 enzyme. X-ray structure analysis and molecular mechanics calculations (MMC) were performed for the best cytotoxic agents, compounds 10 and 15. A comparison of crystal and MMC structures of compounds 10 and 15 revealed that their molecules conformations are stable even after releasing of the influence of crystalline field and that the influence of crystal packing on molecular conformation is not predominant.

Metal complexes as potential modulators of inflammatory and autoimmune responses

In this perspective, we highlight recent examples in the development of transition metal complexes as modulators of inflammatory and autoimmune responses.

Over the past few decades, the realm of inorganic medicinal chemistry has been dominated by the study of the anti-cancer properties of transition metal complexes, particularly those based on platinum or ruthenium. However, comparatively less attention has been focused on the development of metal complexes for the treatment of inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. Metal complexes possess a number of advantages that render them as attractive alternatives to organic small molecules for the development of therapeutic agents. In this perspective, we highlight recent examples in the development of transition metal complexes as modulators of inflammatory and autoimmune responses. The studies presented here serve to highlight the potential of transition metal complexes in modulating inflammatory or immune pathways in cells.

The synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray single crystal structure of catena-[(μ-anacardato)-copper(II)bipyridine][Cu2{(μ-O2CC6H3(o-OH)(o-C15H31)}4(NC5H5)2]

Hydrogenation of crude anacardic acid gave a transparent crystalline product on recrystallization. When reacted with copper nitrate in the presence of pyridine it produced green crystals of a pyridine adduct of a dimeric copper(II) anacardate with the copper acetate structure. The X-ray single crystal structures of both anacardic acid and the copper complex were determined. Magnetic studies have confirmed strong antiferromagnetic coupling between copper(II) centre in the dimer. The exchange coupling constant was determined to be J = -324 cm(-1). The EPR spectra of the polycrystalline product are consistent with spin S = 1. The zero-field splitting parameter and g tensor values are |D| = 0.36 cm(-1), g(||) = 2.36 and g(⊥) = 2.06.

Making bispirin: synthesis, structure and activity against Helicobacter pylori of bismuth(III) acetylsalicylate

Reaction of Bi(O(t)Bu)3 with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid = aspH) in dry toluene results in the bismuth(III) complex, [Bi(O2C(C6H4)OAc)3]∞ 1 (O2C(C6H4)OAc = asp), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Helicobacter pylori ≥ 6.25 μg mL(-1), while the inclusion of a stoichiometric equivalent of KO(t)Bu leads to crystals of the bismuthate salt [KBi(O2C(C6H4)OAc)4]∞ 2.

Identification of [CuCl(acac)(tmed)], a copper(II) complex with mixed ligands, as a modulator of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Sod1p) activity in yeast

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) stand in the prime line of enzymatic antioxidant defense in nearly all eukaryotic cells exposed to oxygen, catalyzing the breakdown of the superoxide anionic radical to O(2) and H(2)O(2). Overproduction of superoxide correlates with numerous pathophysiological conditions, and although the native enzyme can be used as a therapeutic agent in superoxide-associated conditions, synthetic low molecular weight mimetics are preferred in terms of cost, administration mode, and bioavailability. In this study we make use of the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae to investigate the SOD-mimetic action of a mononuclear mixed-ligand copper(II) complex, [CuCl(acac)(tmed)] (where acac is acetylacetonate anion and tmed is N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine). Taking advantage of an easily reproducible phenotype of yeast cells which lack Cu-Zn SOD (Sod1p), we found that the compound could act either as a superoxide scavenger in the absence of native Sod1p or as a Sod1p modulator which behaved differently under various genetic backgrounds.

Synthesis, anti-oxidant activity, and cytotoxicity of salicyloyl derivatives of estra-1,3,5(10)-triene and androst-5-ene

Since many estrane and androstane derivatives exhibit cytotoxic, anti-oxidant, or anti-hormone activity, new steroidal derivatives were synthesised from appropriate estrogen or androgen precursors in order to obtain potential therapeutics for the treatment of steroid-dependent diseases. Starting from estradiol (I), 6-oxo derivatives V and VII were prepared. 17β-Salicyloyl-6-oxo derivatives VI and VIII were synthesised by the reaction of compounds V or VII with methyl salicylate in the presence of sodium. 17β-Salicyloyloxy estradiol IX was prepared from estradiol. Beckmann fragmentation of 16-oxyimino alcohols XII and XIII with methyl salicylate yielded corresponding D-seco derivatives XIV and XV. Simultaneous fragmentation and acylation of compound XII resulted in 3β-salicyloyl-D-seco derivative XVI which was also obtained from compound XIV. Anti-oxidant assays of the newly synthesised compounds V-IX, XIV, and XVI indicated a stronger capacity for hydroxyl radical scavenging, and a weaker capacity for DPPH radical scavenging, compared with the standard anti-oxidants BHA and BHT. Compounds V, XIV, and XVI showed higher or the same activity as BHT. The cytotoxicity of new compounds was evaluated against human breast and prostate carcinoma cells. Compound VI exhibited strong cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells; compound XIV exhibited strong cytotoxicity against PC-3 cell line, while compound VII moderately inhibited the growth of PC-3 cells.

Copper curcuminoids containing anthracene groups: fluorescent molecules with cytotoxic activity

The coordination chemistry of the new curcuminoid ligand, 1,7-(di-9-anthracene-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione), abbreviated 9Accm has been studied, resulting in two new copper-9Accm compounds. Compound 1, [Cu(phen)Cl(9Accm)], was synthesized by reacting 9Accm with [Cu(phen)Cl(2)] in a 1:1 ratio (M:L) and compound 2, [Cu(9Accm)(2)], was prepared from Cu(OAc)(2) and 9Accm (1:2). UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements were some of the techniques employed to portray these species; studies on single crystals of free 9Accm, [Cu(phen)Cl(9Accm)] and [Cu(9Accm)(2)(py)] provided detailed structural information about compounds 1 and 2·py, being the first two copper-curcuminoids crystallographically described. In addition the antitumor activity of the new compounds was studied and compared with free 9Accm for a number of human tumor cells. To provide more insight on the mode of action of these compounds under biological conditions, additional experiments were accomplished, including studies on the nature of their interactions with calf thymus DNA by UV-vis titration and Circular Dichroism. These experiments together with DNA-binding studies indicate electrostatic interactions between some of these species and the double helix, pointing out the weak nature of the interaction of the compounds with CT-DNA. The intrinsic fluorescence of the free ligand and both copper compounds provided valuable information over the cellular process and therefore, fluorescence microscopy studies were performed using a human osteosarcoma cell line. Studies in vitro using this technique suggest that the action of these molecules seems to occur outside the nuclei.