Anti-Inflammatory Oxicams as Multi-donor Ligand Systems: pH- and Solvent-Dependent Coordination Modes of Meloxicam and Piroxicam to Ru and Os

Half-Sandwich Ruthenium Arene Complexes Bearing Clinically Approved Drugs as Ligands: The Importance of Metal-Drug Synergism in Metallodrug Design

A novel strategy in metallodrug discovery today is incorporating clinically approved drugs into metal complexes as coordinating ligands. Using this strategy, various drugs have been repurposed to prepare organometallic complexes to overcome the resistance of drugs and to design promising alternatives to currently available metal-based drugs. Notably, the combination of organoruthenium moiety and clinical drug in a single molecule has been shown, in some instances, to enhance pharmacological activity and reduce toxicity in comparison to the parent drug. Thus, for the past two decades, there has been increasing interest in exploiting metal-drug synergism to develop multifunctional organoruthenium drug candidates. Herein, we summarized the recent reports of rationally designed half-sandwich Ru(arene) complexes containing different FDA-approved drugs. This review also focuses on the mode of coordination of drugs, ligand-exchange kinetics, mechanism of action, and structure-activity relationship of organoruthenated complexes containing drugs. We hope this discussion may serve to shed light on future developments in ruthenium-based metallopharmaceuticals.

Impact of the Metal Center and Leaving Group on the Anticancer Activity of Organometallic Complexes of Pyridine-2-carbothioamide

Ru^II(cym)Cl (cym = η⁶-p-cymene) complexes of pyridinecarbothioamides have shown potential for development as orally active anticancer metallodrugs, underlined by their high selectivity towards plectin as the molecular target. In order to investigate the impact of the metal center on the anticancer activity and their physicochemical properties, the Os(cym), Rh- and Ir(Cp*) (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) analogues of the most promising and orally active compound plecstatin 2 were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction analysis. Dissolution in aqueous medium results in quick ligand exchange reactions; however, over time no further changes in the ¹H NMR spectra were observed. The Rh- and Ir(Cp*) complexes were investigated for their reactions with amino acids, and while they reacted with Cys, no reaction with His was observed. Studies on the in vitro anticancer activity identified the Ru derivatives as the most potent, independent of their halido leaving group, while the Rh derivative was more active than the Ir analogue. This demonstrates that the metal center has a significant impact on the anticancer activity of the compound class.

Novel Papaverine Metal Complexes with Potential Anticancer Activities

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although several potential therapeutic agents have been developed to efficiently treat cancer, some side effects can occur simultaneously. Papaverine, a non-narcotic opium alkaloid, is a potential anticancer drug that showed selective antitumor activity in various tumor cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that metal complexes improve the biological activity of the parent bioactive ligands. Based on those facts, herein we describe the synthesis of novel papaverine–vanadium(III), ruthenium(III) and gold(III) metal complexes aiming at enhancing the biological activity of papaverine drug. The structures of the synthesized complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic methods (IR, UV–Vis, NMR, TGA, XRD, SEM). The anticancer activity of synthesized metal complexes was evaluated in vitro against two types of cancer cell lines: human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG-2 cells. The results revealed that papaverine-Au(III) complex, among the synthesized complexes, possess potential antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Interestingly, the anticancer activity of papaverine–Au(III) complex against the examined cancer cell lines was higher than that of the papaverine alone, which indicates that Au-metal complexation improved the anticancer activity of the parent drug. Additionally, the Au complex showed anticancer activity against the breast cancer MCF-7 cells better than that of cisplatin. The biocompatibility experiments showed that Au complex is less toxic than the papaverine drug alone with IC₅₀ ≈ 111µg/mL. These results indicate that papaverine–Au(III) complex is a promising anticancer complex-drug which would make it a suitable candidate for further in vivo investigations.

Synthesis, Characterisation and In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Catalytically Active Indole-Based Half-Sandwich Complexes

The synthesis, characterisation and evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxicity of four indole-based half-sandwich metal complexes towards two ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and A2780cisR) and one normal prostate cell line (PNT2) are presented herein. Although capable of inducing catalytic oxidation of NADH and able to reduce NAD+ with high turnover frequencies, in cells and in the presence of sodium formate, these complexes also strongly interact with biomolecules such as glutathione. This work highlights that efficient out-of-cells catalytic activity might lead to higher reactivity towards biomolecules, thus inhibiting the in-cells catalytic processes.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed C-H Hydroxyalkylation and Mitsunobu Cyclization of N-Aryl Phthalazinones

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed C(sp²)-H functionalization of N-aryl phthalazinones with a range of aldehydes and activated ketone is described. Initial formation of hydroxyalkylated phthalazinones and subsequent Mitsunobu cyclization provided facile access to biologically relevant indazolophthalazinones. The utility of this method is highlighted by synthetic transformations into a series of potentially bioactive scaffolds.

Encapsulation of a Ru(η6-p-cymene) complex of the antibacterial drug trimethoprim into a polydiacetylene-phospholipid assembly to enhance its in vitro anticancer and antibacterial activities

The first report of a Ru(arene)–liposome nanoaggregate to enhance the in vitro anticancer activity of a Ru–arene complex in liver cancer cells.

Targeted Theranostic of Cryptococcal Encephalitis by a Novel Polypyridyl Ruthenium Complex

Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is one of the most well-known zoonotic fungal pathogens. Cryptococcal encephalitis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Effective and targeting killing of C. neoformans in the brain is an essential approach to prevent and treat cryptococcal encephalitis. In this study, a fluorescent polypyridyl ruthenium complex RC-7, {[phen₂Ru(bpy-dinonyl)](PF₆)₂ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy-dinonyl = 4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridine)}, was screened out, which showed a highly fungicidal effect on C. neoformans. The values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) in antifungal activities were significantly lower than fluconazole as the control. Moreover, RC-7 was prepared as a brain-targeting nanoliposome (RDP-liposome; RDP is a peptide derived from rabies virus glycoprotein) for in vivo application. The results revealed that the liposomes could accumulate in the encephalitis brain and play an antifungal role. Compared with the cryptococcal encephalitis model mice, the RDP-liposomes remarkably prolonged the survival days of the encephalitis-bearing mice from 10 days to 24 days. Here, we introduce a polypyridyl ruthenium complex that could be used as a novel antifungal agent, and this study may have a broad impact on the development of targeted delivery based on ruthenium complex-loaded liposomes for theranostics of cryptococcal encephalitis.

A Bioactive l-Phenylalanine-Derived Arene in Multitargeted Organoruthenium Compounds: Impact on the Antiproliferative Activity and Mode of Action

Ru^II(η⁶-arene) compounds carrying bioactive flavonol ligands have shown promising anticancer activity against tumor cells via a multitargeting mode of action, i.e., through interaction with DNA and inhibition of topoisomerase IIα. By introducing a novel arene ligand based on the amino acid l-phenylalanine (Phe), we aimed to alter the pharmacological properties of the complexes. We report here a series of novel Ru^II(η⁶-arene)Cl complexes with different substituents on the phenyl ring of the flavonol which should maintain the multitargeting capability of the parent η⁶- p-cymene (cym) complexes. Studies with selected examples revealed stability in aqueous solution after quickly forming aqua complexes but rapid decomposition in pure DMSO. The reactions with protein and DNA models proceeded quickly and resulted in cleavage of the flavonol or adduct formation, respectively. The compounds were found to be cytotoxic with significant antiproliferative activity in cancer cells with IC₅₀ values in the low μM range, while not following the same trends as observed for the cym analogues. Notably, the cellular accumulation of the new derivatives was significantly higher than for their respective cym complexes, and they induced DNA damage in a manner similar to that of cisplatin but to a lesser extent.

Organoruthenium and Organoosmium Complexes of 2-Pyridinecarbothioamides Functionalized with a Sulfonamide Motif: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Biomolecule Interactions

Anticancer-active Ru^II -η⁶ -p-cymene complexes of bioactive 2-pyridinecarbothioamide ligands have been shown to have high selectivity for plectin and can be administered orally. Reported herein is the functionalization of a 2-pyridinecarbothioamide with a sulfonamide group and its conversion into M-η⁶ -p-cymene complexes (M = Ru, Os). The presence of a sulfonamide moiety in many organic drugs and metal complexes endows these agents with interesting biological properties and can transform the latter into multi-targeted agents. The compounds were characterized with standard methods and the in vitro anticancer activity data was compared with studies on the hydrolytic stability of the complexes and their reactivity to small biomolecules. A molecular modeling study revealed plausible modes of binding of the complexes in the catalytic pocket of carbonic anhydrase II.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Zeise's Salt Derivatives with Acetylsalicylic Acid Substructure

The development of novel biologically active organometallic compounds bearing an acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) substructure led to the synthesis of analogical Zeise-type salts that accordingly inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. In order to determine the influence of the length of the alkyl chain between the platinum(II) center and the ASA moiety, compounds with varying methylene groups (n = 1⁻4) were synthesized and characterized. For the propene derivative structural elucidation by X-ray crystallography was possible. Prior to evaluation of biological activity, the complexes were investigated regarding their stability in different media, such as water, physiological sodium chloride, and phosphate buffered saline. Therefore, an analytical method based on capillary electrophoresis was established. All of the compounds were tested for their COX inhibitory potential. In general, complexes with longer alkyl chains caused higher inhibition of COX enzymes and the inhibitory potential towards COX enzymes was enhanced when compared to Zeise's salt. The growth inhibitory effects of the synthesized substances were investigated in vitro against colon carcinoma (HT-29) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. The IC50 values of the new derivatives ranged from 30 to 50 µM, whereas neither Zeise's salt itself nor ASA showed any antiproliferative activity at the used concentrations.

α-Diimines as Versatile, Derivatizable Ligands in Ruthenium(II) p-Cymene Anticancer Complexes

α-Diimines are among the most robust and versatile ligands available in synthetic coordination chemistry, possessing finely tunable steric and electronic properties. A series of novel cationic ruthenium(II) p-cymene complexes bearing simple α-diimine ligands, [(η⁶- p-cymene)RuCl{κ² N-(HCNR)₂}]NO₃ (R = Cy, [1]NO₃; R = 4-C₆H₁₀OH, [2]NO₃; R = 4-C₆H₄OH, [3]NO₃), were prepared in near-quantitative yields as their nitrate salts. [2]NO₃ displays high water solubility. The potential of the α-diimine ligand in [3]NO₃ as a carrier of bioactive molecules was investigated via esterification reactions with the hydroxyl groups. Thus, the double-functionalized derivatives [(η⁶- p-cymene)RuCl{κ² N-(HCN(4-C₆H₄OCO-R))₂}]NO₃ (R = aspirinate, [5]NO₃; valproate, [6]NO₃) and also [4]Cl (R = Me) were obtained in good-to-high yields. UV-vis and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric studies in aqueous solution revealed only minor ruthenium chloride hydrolytic cleavage, biologically accessible reduction potentials, and pH-dependent behavior of [3]NO₃. Density functional theory analysis was performed in order to compare the Ru-Cl bond strength in [1]⁺ with the analogous ethylenediamine complex, showing that the higher stability observed in the former is related to the electron-withdrawing properties of the α-diimine ligand. In vitro cytotoxicity studies were performed against tumorigenic (A2780 and A2780cisR) and nontumorigenic (HEK-293) cell lines, with the complexes bearing simple α-diimine ligands ranging from inactive to IC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range. The complexes functionalized with bioactive components, i.e., [5]NO₃ and [6]NO₃, exhibited a marked increase in the cytotoxicity with respect to the precursor [3]NO₃.

Versatile coordination of acetazolamide to ruthenium(ii) p-cymene complexes and preliminary cytotoxicity studies

The bioactive molecule acetazolamide was incorporated in Ru(ii)-p-cymene complexes with different coordination modes. Two of the resulting complexes were non cytotoxic towards A2780, A2780cisR and HEK-293 cell lines.

Making organoruthenium complexes of 8-hydroxyquinolines more hydrophilic: impact of a novel l-phenylalanine-derived arene ligand on the biological activity

Introduction of an l-phenylalanine-derived arene ligand leads to more hydrophilic organoruthenium(8-oxyquinolinato) anticancer agents.

Ruthenium–arene complexes with NSAIDs: synthesis, characterization and bioactivity

Two non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs indomethacin and mefenamic acid were coordinated to Ru(ii)–arenes to afford four new complexes.

The development of anticancer ruthenium(ii) complexes: from single molecule compounds to nanomaterials

Cancer is rapidly becoming the top killer in the world. Most of the FDA approved anticancer drugs are organic molecules, while metallodrugs are very scarce. The advent of the first metal based therapeutic agent, cisplatin, launched a new era in the application of transition metal complexes for therapeutic design. Due to their unique and versatile biochemical properties, ruthenium-based compounds have emerged as promising anti-cancer agents that serve as alternatives to cisplatin and its derivertives. Ruthenium(iii) complexes have successfully been used in clinical research and their mechanisms of anticancer action have been reported in large volumes over the past few decades. Ruthenium(ii) complexes have also attracted significant attention as anticancer candidates; however, only a few of them have been reported comprehensively. In this review, we discuss the development of ruthenium(ii) complexes as anticancer candidates and biocatalysts, including arene ruthenium complexes, polypyridyl ruthenium complexes, and ruthenium nanomaterial complexes. This review focuses on the likely mechanisms of action of ruthenium(ii)-based anticancer drugs and the relationship between their chemical structures and biological properties. This review also highlights the catalytic activity and the photoinduced activation of ruthenium(ii) complexes, their targeted delivery, and their activity in nanomaterial systems.