Biological relevance of CuFeO2 nanoparticles: Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, genotoxicity, DNA and protein interactions

Heterometal oxide nanoparticles of bioessential metals are shedding new light to nanoparticle-inspired bioapplications. Pairing bioreactive elements like copper and iron can affect the redox dynamic and biological profile of the nanomaterial. Given the complexity of physicochemical properties, biological activity and toxicity concerns, extensive exploration is demanded, especially when active and less active oxidation states participate as in case of cuprous-ferric delafossite CuFeO₂ (copper(I)-iron(III)), a less widespread nanomaterial. In that vein, CuFeO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized and biological profile was evaluated in comparison with cuprous oxide (Cu₂O NPs) counterpart, an already established antimicrobial agent. Interactions with bacteria, proteins and DNA were examined. Cu₂O NPs exhibited stronger antibacterial activity (IC₅₀ < 25 μg/ml) than CuFeO₂ NPs (IC₅₀ > 100 μg/ml). In vitro exposure of nanoparticles on plasmid DNA unveiled toxicity in the form of DNA damage for Cu₂O and enhanced biocompatibility for CuFeO₂ NPs. Genotoxicity estimated by the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges, cytostaticity based on the proliferating rate indices and cytotoxicity based on the mitotic indices at human peripheral lymphocyte cultures were all significantly lower in the case of CuFeO₂ NPs. Furthermore, through in vitro albumin denaturation assay, CuFeO₂ NPs showed better performance in protein denaturation protection, correlating in superior anti-inflammatory activity than Cu₂O and similar to acetylsalicylic acid. Synergy of copper(I)-iron(III) in nanoscale is apparent and gives rise to fruitful bioapplications and perspectives.

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes with 2-thiophene carboxylate and N-N donors; DNA interaction, antioxidant/anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity

Redox-active compounds such as copper-phenanthroline are known as artificial/chemical nucleases with a great impact and potential for their applications as metallotherapeutics. In that vein, the mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)₂(bipy)] (1), [Cu(L)₂(bipy)(H₂O)] (2) and [Cu(L)₂(phen)(H₂O)] (3), where L = 2-thiophene carboxylate, bipy = 2,2΄-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, have been prepared and pharmacochemically studied, while the crystal structure of 1 is also reported. All the tested complexes preferably bind to CT-DNA via minor groove as resulted from UV spectroscopy studies, luminescent titration, EB competition assays and viscosity measurements. Complexes 2 and 3 in aqua behave like a "light switch" for DNA. The intensity enhancement, with the increase of DNA concentration, reached about 3-fold for 2 and 10-fold for 3. In vitro antioxidant activity of compounds 1-3, was evaluated using two different antioxidant assays: a) interaction with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) stable free radical and b) inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Moreover, their inhibitory activity on soybean lipoxygenase (LOX) was evaluated for their anti-inflammatory potency. The tested complexes showed good activity on both lipid peroxidation and soybean LOX inhibition while complex 2 exhibited the best antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity. A computational analysis over the LOX protein structure 1JNQ was performed, in an effort to support their possible mode of action. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was determined and their efficacy against several human cancer cell lines (ovarian, OAW-42; lung, A549; colon, HT29; breast, MDA-MB-231; kidney, Caki-2; and cervical, Hela) and human non-tumor cell lines (lung, MRC-5; and breast, MTSV1-7) were evaluated. The best cytotoxic activity was appeared for complex 3. In silico, computational methods support antiestrogen activity of the administered complexes on normal breast cells.

Elucidation of one step synthesis of PEGylated CuFe bimetallic nanoparticles. Antimicrobial activity of CuFe@PEG vs Cu@PEG

There is a growing field of research on the physicochemical properties of bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) and their potential use in different applications. Meanwhile, their antimicrobial activity is scarcely reported, although BMNPs can potentially achieve unique chemical transformations and synergetic effects can be presented. Towards this direction a reproducible simple hybrid polyol process under moderate temperature solvothermal conditions has been applied for the isolation of non-oxide contaminated bimetallic CuFe nanoparticles (NPs). 1,2-propylene glycol (PG), tetraethylene glycol (TEG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000), that exhibit different physicochemical properties, have been utilized to regulate the size, structure, composition and the surface chemistry of NPs. The BMNPs were found to be of small crystalline size, 30-45nm, and high hydrophilicity, different wt% percentage of organic coating and variable hydrodynamic size and surface charge. The antimicrobial activity of the BMNPs was evaluated against the bacterial strains B. subtilis, E. coli and fungus S. cerevisiae. The IC₅₀ values for CuFe NPs were found significantly lower compared with Cu NPs of the same size, revealing an enhancement in the antimicrobial activity when iron and copper coexist in the crystal structure. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured intracellularly and extracellularly by the nitroblue tetrazolium assay in the fungal cultures. No extracellular ROS were measured suggesting that both CuFe and Cu NPs enter the fungal cells during the incubation, also verified by optical imaging of the fungal cells in the presence of NPs. Higher ROS concentrations were generated intracellularly for CuFe NPs supporting different red/ox reaction mechanisms.

A facile microwave synthetic route for ferrite nanoparticles with direct impact in magnetic particle hyperthermia

The application of ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in medicine finds its rapidly developing emphasis on heating mediators for magnetic hyperthermia, the ever-promising "fourth leg" of cancer treatment. Usage of MNPs depends largely on the preparation processes to select optimal conditions and effective routes to finely tailor MNPs. Microwave heating, instead of conventional heating offers nanocrystals at significantly enhanced rate and yield. In this work, a facile mass-production microwave hydrothermal synthetic approach was used to synthesize stable ferromagnetic manganese and cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with sizes smaller than 14 nm from metal acetylacetonates in the presence of octadecylamine. Prolonging the reaction time from 15 to 60 min, led to ferrites with improved crystallinity while the sizes are slight increased. The high crystallinity magnetic nanoparticles showed exceptional magnetic heating parameters. In vitro application was performed using the human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2 incubated with manganese ferrite nanoparticles. Hyperthermia applied in a two cycle process, while AC magnetic field remained on until the upper limit of 45 °C was achieved. The comparative results of the AC hyperthermia efficiency of ferrite nanoparticles in combination with the in vitro study coincide with the magnetic features and their tunability may be further exploited for AC magnetic hyperthermia driven applications.

Hetero-nanocomposites of magnetic and antifungal nanoparticles as a platform for magnetomechanical stress induction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Copper(i) oxide (Cu₂O) nanoparticles (NPs) of 30 nm with antifungal properties have been functionalized with 9 nm nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to construct hetero-nanocomposites (NCs) of a submicron hydrodynamic size for magnetomechanical stress induction in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A post-synthetic approach involving the assembly through hydrophobic interactions of the preformed NPs of non-uniform sizes, albeit coated with the same surfactant (oleylamine), is reported. Solvents of different polarity were implemented during the synthetic procedure resulting in NCs of similar composition consisting mainly of MNPs randomly decorated onto the bigger Cu₂O NPs. The antifungal properties of the building NPs and the NCs were studied in terms of fungistatic and fungicidal activity, whereas the ionic leaching was found to be negligible, highlighting the nanosize effect. Although S. cerevisiae cells were found to be resistant to individual NiFe₂O₄ MNPs because of their small size, their sensitivity to NCs significantly increased upon short-time exposure to a rotating low-frequency magnetic field (10 min, 30 Hz, 35 G) and this arises from the collective properties. The magnetomechanical cell stress induction was accompanied by alteration of cellular membrane integrity and programmed cell death signaling.

Selective synthesis of Cu₂O and Cu/Cu₂O NPs: antifungal activity to yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and DNA interaction

A facile selective synthesis of Cu2O and heterogeneous Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) was achieved through a solvothermal approach by Cu(NO3)2 in proportion of three different surfactants, namely, tetraethylene glycol (TEG), oleylamine (OAm) and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan laurate (Tween 20). Formation aspects for the spherical Cu2O@OAm (30 nm) and Cu2O@Tween (12 nm) as well as for the core-shell and semishell Cu/Cu2O@TEG NPs (7 nm) and the Cu/Cu2O@OAm (170 nm) nanorods have been proposed. The fungistatic and fungicidal activity of the newly synthesized NPs was studied in vitro against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which constitutes a unicellular eukaryotic model microorganism in molecular and cell biology. The antifungal results, based on optical density and fluorescence measurements, clearly indicate that the composition, size, and amount of surfactant are of key importance in the antifungal properties of the NPs. Cu2O@OAm NPs exhibited the most prominent antifungal activity with 3.73 μg/mL IC(50viability) value. The isolated DNA of S. cerevisiae cells after exposure to the NPs was investigated, and binding and/or degradation phenomena were recorded that are correlated to the size and concentration of the NPs. Their activity pathway was further explored, and reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation were verified mainly for Cu2O NPs.

Reducing the inversion degree of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles through synthesis to enhance magnetization: evaluation of their 1H NMR relaxation and heating efficiency

MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles of low inversion degree present optimized magnetization with high (T₂) relaxation (345.5 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹) and heating efficiency (286 W g⁻¹).

Size-induced effects in wet-chemically synthesized CoPt3 nanoparticles

CoPt3 alloy spherical nanoparticles with sizes tuned between 3-7 nm were produced by the simultaneous thermal treatment of proper platinum and cobalt precursors in the presence of surfactants. The final size and composition of the particles are determined by the precursors' ratio, the chemical behavior of Co precursors and the stabilizing efficiency of the surfactants. By employing higher reaction temperatures (approximately 350 degrees C) better alloying is achieved leading to enhancement of macroscopic magnetic features and decrease of the superparamagnetic limit down to 7 nm.

The effect of composition and structural ordering on the magnetism of FePt nanoparticles

Spherical 4 nm FePt nanoparticles were synthesized by the simultaneous decomposition of Fe(CO)5 and the polyol reduction of Pt(acac)2. The final Fe-to-Pt composition was tuned between 15-55 at.% by varying the ingredient precursor ratios. The effect of composition and structural ordering on the macroscopic magnetic features of final FePt nanoparticles was examined via post-synthetic annealing stages at different conditions. Structural ordering is promoted in all cases, though samples approximating equiatomic Fe/Pt ratios eventually transform to fct-FePt phase while the FePt3-phase is favored for the Pt-richer samples. Consequently, the magnetic features of the annealed nanoparticles may be categorized; the hard magnetic FePt region dominating for Fe content between 40-55 at.% and the soft magnetic FePt3 region dominating in the region 20-30 at.% while Fe content less than 20 at.% results in Pt-richer phases with diminishing ferromagnetic behavior.

Synthesis and pharmacochemical study of new Cu(II) complexes with thiophen-2-yl saturated and alpha,beta-unsaturated substituted carboxylic acids

Copper complexes with thiophen-2-yl saturated and alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids as ligands were prepared, characterized and pharmacochemically studied. The available evidence supports a dimeric structure for the complexes of the general formula [Cu2(L)4(MeOH)2] where L are the anions of thiophene 2-carboxylic acid (HL1), 2-(thiophen-2-yl)-acetic acid (HL2), 3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylic acid (HL3), 2-phenyl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylic acid (HL4) respectively. The crystal structure of [Cu2(L1)4(MeOH)2] (2) was determined while preliminary X-ray analysis of the copper complex with L4 isolated from MeOH/DMSO solution proved to contain three crystallographically independent dimers of the formula [Cu2(L4)4(MeOH)(dmso)][Cu2(L4)4(MeOH)2][Cu2(L4)4(dmso)2].8MeOH (9). Since lipophilicity is a significant physicochemical property determining distribution, bioavailability, metabolic activity and elimination, we tried to measure experimentally their lipophilicity from RPTLC method. The copper complexes and the ligands (thiophen-2-yl saturated and alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids) were tested in vitro on: (a) soybean lipoxygenase inhibition, (b) interaction with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) stable free radical, (c) the HO* mediated oxidation of DMSO, (d) inhibition of lipid peroxidation, (e) scavenging of superoxide anion radicals and in vivo for the inhibition of carrageenin-induced rat paw edema. The compounds have shown important antioxidant activity, significant anti-inflammatory activity and potent inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase as a result of their physichochemical features. Complex [Cu2(L1)4(MeOH)2] (2) presents the higher in vivo activity (77.4%) followed by complex [Cu2(L2)4(MeOH)2] (4) (51%). Both complexes are more potent anti-inflammatory agents compared to their respective ligands. Moreover we have performed in vitro studies upon their effect on dsDNA, using adsorptive transfer stripping voltammetry and a dsDNA modified carbon paste electrode. Our conclusions were mainly based upon the effect of the studied compounds on the oxidation signal of guanine and adenine. From the given data it seems that complexes show similarities in their behaviour.

Host-guest interaction of 12-MC-4, 15-MC-5, and fused 12-MC-4 metallacrowns with mononuclear and binuclear carboxylato complexes: structure and magnetic behavior

Interaction of manganese with salicylhydroxamic ligands leads to the formation of the 12-membered metallacrown [Mn(II)(2(2,4-DP)2(HCOO)2]-[12-MC(Mn(III)N(shi)-4](py)6 (2) (H-2,4-DP =2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid) and the 15-membered metallacrown [Mn(II)(2,4-D)2][15-MC(Mn(III)N(shi)-5](py)6 (1) (H-2,4-D = 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). The crystal structure analysis shows that mononuclear and dinuclear alkanoato complexes are accommodated in the cavity of the metallacrown ring. The magnetic behaviour of 1 and 2 and the magnetic behaviour of the fused 12-membered metallacrown [Ni(II)(mcpa)]2-[12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi)2(pko)2-4][12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi)3(pko)-4]-(CH3OH)3(H2O) (3) (Hmcpa = 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) have shown that the zero field and/or the population of many energy levels at low temperatures is the reason for the divergence of the susceptibility data at high fields. For compound 3, the ground state is S = 0, with S = 1 and S = 2 low-lying excited states. This leads to a non-Brillouin behaviour of the magnetisation, since the ground state is very close to the excited states.

Preparation of site-differentiated mixed ligand and mixed ligand/mixed metal metallacrowns

Assembly reactions that can prepare reliably regioselective metallamacrocyclic complexes have been a target in the development of metallacrowns. To this end, a series of mixed ligand and mixed ligand/mixed metal metallacrowns have been synthesized in high yield and structurally characterized. Two distinct connectivities have been observed in these types of metallacrowns. The monomeric, vacant metallacrown with mixed ligand composition [12-MC(Ni(II)N(Hshi)2(pko)2-4)] (1a) shows the connectivity pattern [-O-Ni-O-N-Ni-N-]2 while the other Ni metallacrowns, [12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi)2(pko)2-4)] (2a) and the coupled [12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi))2(pko)2-4)][12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi))3(pko)-4)] (3a) fused metallacrowns as well as the mixed metal Mn-Ni metallacrown [12-MC(Ni(II)Mn(III)N(shi)2(pko)2-4)] (4a), follow the pattern [-Ni-O-N-]4. Also, three distinct arrangements of the chelate rings around the metal ions have been observed. The syntheses are completely general, allowing for the substitution of different ligands into the metallacrown core. Compounds 1 and 4 show the 6-5-6-5-6-5-6-5 arrangement, compounds 2 and 3(1) the 6-6-5-5-6-6-5-5, and the 3(2) component the 6-6-5-5-6-5-6-5. The obtained structures can be rationalized by balancing the charge at each metal site in the metallacrown. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show that exchange interactions for all the compounds are weak and dominantly antiferromagnetic (e.g., 2a gives an exchange coupling of J = -1.2 cm(-1) with g = 2.2). In solution, the metallacrowns are shown to be stable both to decomposition and ligand exchange.

Copper(II) complexes with phenoxyalkanoic acids and nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligands: structure and bioactivity

The copper complexes with the phenoxyalkanoic acids MCPA, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and 2,4-DP in the presence of a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand, phen or bipyam, were prepared and characterized. Interaction of Cu(II) with phenoxyalkanoic acids and bipyam leads to dinuclear or uninuclear neutral complexes while in the presence of phen uninuclear neutral or cationic forms have been isolated. The crystal structure of bis(1,10-phenanthroline)(2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxyacetato)copper(ll) chloride-methanol(1/1)-water(1/0.6), 1 has been determined and refined by least-squares methods using three-dimensional MoK, data. 1 crystallizes in space group P1, in a cell of dimensions a = 14.577(6)A, b = 1 1.665(5) A, c = 12.249(6) A, alpha = 98.38( 1)degrees, beta = 112.18( 1) degrees, gamma = 104.56(1 ) degrees, V= 1,798( 1) A3 and Z= 2. The cyclic voltammograms of uninuclear cationic complexes in dmf exhibit an extra cathodic wave due to the chloride ion. The available evidence supports an increasing antimicrobial effeciency for the cationic complexes.

Structurally diverse copper(II)-carboxylato complexes: neutral and ionic mononuclear structures and a novel binuclear structure

The copper complexes with the commercial auxin herbicides MCPA, 2,4-D, and 2,4,5-T in the presence of a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand, phen or bipyam, were prepared and characterized. The available evidence supports a dimeric structure for the 2,4-D complex in the presence of bipyam while phen leads to monomeric forms. The EPR spectrum of Cu2(2,4-D)4(bipyam)2 at 4 K in the solid state exhibits an axial signal which corresponds to almost isolated S = 1/2 magnetic ions. Magnetic data for the dimer show a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the two metal ions with J = -08 cm-1. The crystal structures of tetrakis[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetato]bis(2,2'-bipyridylamine)dicopper(II), 1, bis(1,10-phenanthroline)[(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetato]copper(II) chloride, 2, and aqua(1,10-phenanthroline)bis[((2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetato]copper(II), 3, were determined and refined by least-squares methods using three-dimensional MoK alpha data. 1 crystallizes in space group P1, in a cell of dimensions a = 10813(1) A, b = 12138(1) A, c = 11909(1) A, alpha = 86448(3) degrees, beta = 80127(3) degrees, and gamma = 63982(3) degrees, and V = 13837(2) A3, with Z = 1 2 crystallizes in space group I2/a, in a cell of dimensions a = 29958(9) A, b = 11342(3) A, c = 21196(7) A, beta = 10794(1) degrees, and V = 68522(4) A3, with Z = 8 3 crystallizes in space group P1, in a cell of dimensions a = 87419(8) A, b = 12512(1) A, c = 14598(1) A, alpha = 110737(1) degrees, beta = 95742(2) degrees, gamma = 103286(2) degrees, V = 14241(2) A3, with Z = 2.

Anti-inflammatory drugs interacting with Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pt(II) metal ions

Complexes of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pt(II) metal ions with the anti-inflammatory drugs, 1-methyl-5-(p-toluoyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-acetic acid (Tolmetin), alpha-methyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)benzeneacetic acid (Ibuprofen), 6-methoxy-alpha-methylnaphthalene-2-acetic acid (Naproxen) and 1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole-3-acetic acid (indomethacin) have been synthesized and characterized. In the structurally characterized Cd(naproxen)2 complex the anti-inflammatory drugs acts as bidentate chelate ligand coordinatively bound to metal ions through the deprotonated carboxylate group. Crystal data for 1: [C32H26O8Cd], orthorhombic, space group P22(1)2(1), a = 5.693(2) (A), b = 8.760(3) (A), c = 30.74(1) (A), V = 1533(1) A3, Z = 2. Antibacterial and growth inhibitory activity is higher than that of the parent ligands or the platinum(II) diamine compounds.