Synthesis, Cellular Uptake and Biological Activity Against Pathogenic Microorganisms and Cancer Cells of Rhodium and Iridium N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes Bearing Charged Substituents

Antibacterial activity of Au(I), Pt(II), and Ir(III) biotin conjugates prepared by the iClick reaction: influence of the metal coordination sphere on the biological activity

A series of biotin-functionalized transition metal complexes was prepared by iClick reaction from the corresponding azido complexes with a novel alkyne-functionalized biotin derivative ([Au(triazolatoR,R')(PPh3)], [Pt(dpb)(triazolatoR,R')], [Pt(triazolatoR,R')(terpy)]PF6, and [Ir(ppy)(triazolatoR,R')(terpy)]PF6 with dpb = 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene, ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, and terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and R = C6H5, R' = biotin). The complexes were compared to reference compounds lacking the biotin moiety. The binding affinity toward avidin and streptavidin was evaluated with the HABA assay as well as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). All compounds exhibit the same binding stoichiometry of complex-to-avidin of 4:1, but the ITC results show that the octahedral Ir(III) compound exhibits a higher binding affinity than the square-planar Pt(II) complex. The antibacterial activity of the compounds was evaluated on a series of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. In particular, the neutral Au(I) and Pt(II) complexes showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium at very low micromolar concentrations. The cytotoxicity against a range of eukaryotic cell lines was studied and revealed that the octahedral Ir(III) complex was non-toxic, while the square-planar Pt(II) and linear Au(I) complexes displayed non-selective micromolar activity.

Antimicrobial Activity of Manganese(I) Tricarbonyl Complexes Bearing 1,2,3-Triazole Ligands

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most pressing health issues of our time. The increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria allied to the lack of new antibiotics has contributed to the current crisis. It has been predicted that if this situation is not dealt with, we will be facing 10 million deaths due to multidrug resistant infections per year by 2050, surpassing cancer-related deaths. This alarming scenario has refocused attention into researching alternative drugs to treat multidrug-resistant infections.

AIMS

In this study, the antimicrobial activities of four manganese complexes containing 1,2,3,-triazole and clotrimazole ligands have been evaluated. It is known that azole antibiotics coordinated to manganese tricarbonyl complexes display interesting antimicrobial activities against several microbes. In this work, the effect of the introduction of 1,2,3,-triazole-derived ligands in the [Mn(CO)3(clotrimazole)] fragment has been investigated against one Gram-positive bacterium and five Gram-negative bacteria.

METHODS

The initial antimicrobial activity of the above-mentioned complexes was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations using the broth microdilution method. Growth curves in the presence and absence of the complexes were performed to determine the effects of these complexes on the growth of the selected bacteria. A possible impact on cellular viability was determined by conducting the MTS assay on human monocytes.

RESULTS

Three of the Mn complexes investigated (4-6) had good antimicrobial activities against all the bacteria tested, with values ranging from 1.79 to 61.95 µM with minimal toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the increased problem of antibiotic resistance and a lack of new antibacterial drugs with no toxicity, these results are exciting and show that these types of complexes can be an avenue to pursue in the future.

Antimicrobial efficacy of a hemilabile Pt(II)-NHC compound against drug-resistant S. aureus and Enterococcus

Three platinum(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compounds [Pt(L¹)Cl](PF₆) (1), [Pt(L²)(COD)](PF₆)₂ (2) and [Pt(L²)Cl₂] (3) were synthesized bearing pyridyl-functionalized butenyl-tethered (L¹H) and n-butyl tethered (L²H) NHC ligands, and their antibacterial activity against clinically relevant human pathogens was evaluated. Complex 1 was designed to have one of its metal coordination sites masked with a hemilabile butenyl group. The antibacterial activity spectrum against the ESKAPE panel of pathogens shows superior activity of 1 compared to 2 and 3 against the Gram-positive S. aureus pathogen. Complex 1 showed equipotent activity against clinical drug-resistant S. aureus and Enterococcus isolates. Furthermore, 1 demonstrated concentration-dependent bactericidal activity with a long post-antibiotic effect, eradicated preformed S. aureus biofilm and synergized with gentamicin and minocycline for combinatorial antimicrobial therapy. Under in vivo conditions, 1 displayed potent activity in reducing bacterial load in a murine thigh infection model, similar to vancomycin, albeit at 2.5× less dosage. An array of experiments reveals key characteristics for the hemilabile complex 1 as a potential anti-staphylococcal drug.

Triazolyl-Functionalized N-Heterocyclic Carbene Half-Sandwich Compounds: Coordination Mode, Reactivity and in vitro Anticancer Activity

We report investigations on the anticancer activity of organometallic [M^II/III (η⁶ -p-cymene/η⁵ -pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)] (M=Ru, Os, Rh, and Ir) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) substituted with a triazolyl moiety. Depending on the precursors, the NHC ligands displayed either mono- or bidentate coordination via the NHC carbon atom or as N,C-donors. The metal complexes were investigated for their stability in aqueous solution, with the interpretation supported by density functional theory calculations, and reactivity to biomolecules. In vitro cytotoxicity studies suggested that the nature of both the metal center and the lipophilicity of the ligand determine the biological properties of this class of compounds. The Ir^III complex 5 d bearing a benzimidazole-derived ligand was the most cytotoxic with an IC₅₀ value of 10 μM against NCI-H460 non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Cell uptake and distribution studies using X-ray fluorescence microscopy revealed localization of 5 d in the cytoplasm of cancer cells.

Evaluation of metal-based antimicrobial compounds for the treatment of bacterial pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global health challenges of modern times and its prevalence is rising worldwide. AMR within bacteria reduces the efficacy of antibiotics and increases both the morbidity and the mortality associated with bacterial infections. Despite this growing risk, few antibiotics with a novel mode of action are being produced, leading to a lack of antibiotics that can effectively treat bacterial infections with AMR. Metals have a history of antibacterial use but upon the discovery of antibiotics, often became overlooked as antibacterial agents. Meanwhile, metal-based complexes have been used as treatments for other diseases, such as the gold-containing drug auranofin, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Metal-based antibacterial compounds have novel modes of action that provide an advantage for the treatment of bacterial infections with resistance to conventional antibiotics. In this review, the antibacterial activity, mode of action, and potential for systemic use of a number of metal-based antibacterial complexes are discussed. The current limitations of these compounds are highlighted to determine if metal-based agents are a potential solution for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially those resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Unveiling Luminescent IrI and RhI N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Structure, Photophysical Specifics, and Cellular Localization in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Complexes of RhI and IrI of the [M(COD)(NHC)X] type (where M=Rh or Ir, COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene, NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene, and X=halide) have recently shown promising cytotoxic activities against several cancer cell lines. Initial mechanism of action studies provided some knowledge about their interaction with DNA and proteins. However, information about their cellular localization remains scarce owing to luminescence quenching within this complex type. Herein, the synthesis of two rare examples of luminescent RhI and IrI [M(COD)(NHC)I] complexes with 1,8-naphthalimide-based emitting ligands is reported. All new complexes are comprehensively characterized, including with single-crystal X-ray structures. Steric crowding in one derivative leads to two distinct rotamers in solution, which apparently can be distinguished both by pronounced NMR shifts and by their respective spectral and temporal emission signatures. When the photophysical properties of these new complexes are exploited for cellular imaging in HT-29 and PT-45 cancer cell lines, it is demonstrated that the complexes accumulate predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum, which is an entirely new finding and provides the first insight into the cellular localization of such IrI (NHC) complexes.

Fluorinated-NHC Transition Metal Complexes: Leading Characters as Potential Anticancer Metallodrugs

In the last 20 years, N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) ligands have been ubiquitous in biological and medicinal chemistry. Part of their success lies in the tremendous number of topologies that can be synthesized and thus finely tuned that have been described so far. This is particularly true in the case of those derivatives, including fluorine or fluorinated fragments on their NHC moieties, gaining much attention due to their enhanced biological properties and turning them into excellent candidates for the development of novel metallodrugs. Thus, this review summarizes the development that fluorinated-NHC transition metal complexes have had and their impact on cancer treatment.

A Deferasirox Derivative That Acts as a Multifaceted Platform for the Detection and Quantification of Fe3+

Here, we report that ExSO3H, a synthetically accessible, water-soluble, non-toxic derivative of the clinical iron chelator deferasirox, acts as a colorimetric chemosensor that permits the detection and quantification of Fe3+ in aqueous samples at pH 2–5. In addition, we observed that a fluorescent turn-on response was produced when this chelator was allowed to interact with human serum albumin (HSA). This fluorescence was quenched in the presence of Fe3+, thus allowing us to monitor the presence of this biologically important metal cation via two independent methods.

On the Different Mode of Action of Au(I)/Ag(I)-NHC Bis-Anthracenyl Complexes Towards Selected Target Biomolecules

Gold and silver N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are emerging for therapeutic applications. Multiple techniques are here used to unveil the mechanistic details of the binding to different biosubstrates of bis(1-(anthracen-9-ylmethyl)-3-ethylimidazol-2-ylidene) silver chloride [Ag(EIA)₂]Cl and bis(1-(anthracen-9-ylmethyl)-3-ethylimidazol-2-ylidene) gold chloride [Au(EIA)₂]Cl. As the biosubstrates, we tested natural double-stranded DNA, synthetic RNA polynucleotides (single-poly(A), double-poly(A)poly(U) and triple-stranded poly(A)2poly(U)), DNA G-quadruplex structures (G4s), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. Absorbance and fluorescence titrations, mass spectrometry together with melting and viscometry tests show significant differences in the binding features between silver and gold compounds. [Au(EIA)₂]Cl covalently binds BSA. It is here evidenced that the selectivity is high: low affinity and external binding for all polynucleotides and G4s are found. Conversely, in the case of [Ag(EIA)₂]Cl, the binding to BSA is weak and relies on electrostatic interactions. [Ag(EIA)₂]Cl strongly/selectively interacts only with double strands by a mechanism where intercalation plays the major role, but groove binding is also operative. The absence of an interaction with triplexes indicates the major role played by the geometrical constraints to drive the binding mode.

A Combined Spectroscopic and Protein Crystallography Study Reveals Protein Interactions of RhI(NHC) Complexes at the Molecular Level

While most Rh-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes currently investigated in anticancer research contain a Rh(III) metal center, an increasing amount of research is focusing on the cytotoxic activity and mode of action of square-planar [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] (where COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) which contains a Rh(I) center. The enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and the protein albumin have been proposed as potential targets, but the molecular processes taking place upon protein interaction remain elusive. Herein, we report the preparation of peptide-conjugated and its nonconjugated parent [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] complexes, an in-depth investigation of both their stability in solution, and a crystallographic study of protein interaction. The organorhodium compounds showed a rapid loss of the COD ligand and slow loss of the NHC ligand in aqueous solution. These ligand exchange reactions were reflected in studies on the interaction with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) as a model protein in single-crystal X-ray crystallographic investigations. Upon treatment of HEWL with an amino acid functionalized [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] complex, two distinct rhodium adducts were found initially after 7 d of incubation at His15 and after 4 weeks also at Lys33. In both cases, the COD and chlorido ligands had been substituted with aqua and/or hydroxido ligands. While the histidine (His) adduct also indicated a loss of the NHC ligand, the lysine (Lys) adduct retained the NHC core derived from the amino acid l-histidine. In either case, an octahedral coordination environment of the metal center indicates oxidation to Rh(III). This investigation gives the first insight on the interaction of Rh(I)(NHC) complexes and proteins at the molecular level.

Design, synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 3-arylcoumarin derivatives of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes as potent antibacterial agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

We have prepared a series of ten 3-arylcoumarin molecules, their respective fac-[Re(CO)₃(bpy)L]⁺ and fac-[Re(CO)₃(L⁀L)Br] complexes and tested all compounds for their antimicrobial efficacy. Whereas the 3-arylcoumarin ligands are virtually inactive against the human-associated pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) > 150 μM, when coordinated to the fac-[Re(CO)₃]⁺ core, most of the resulting complexes showed remarkable antibacterial potency. Several rhenium complexes exhibit activity in nanomolar concentrations against Gram-positive pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus strains, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecium. The molecules do not affect bacterial cell membrane potential, but some of the most potent complexes strongly interact with DNA, indicating it as a possible target for their mode of action. In vivo studies in the zebrafish model showed that the complexes with anti-staphylococcal/MRSA activity were non-toxic to the organism even at much higher doses of the corresponding MICs. In the zebrafish-MRSA infection model, the complexes increased the survival rate of infected fish up to 100% and markedly reduced bacterial burden. Moreover, all rescued fish developed normally following the treatments with the metallic compounds.

Biological activity of manganese(i) tricarbonyl complexes on multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: From functional studies to in vivo activity in Galleria mellonella

Three new manganese(i) tricarbonyl complexes [Mn(bpqa-κ3N)(CO)3]Br, [Mn(bqpa-κ3N)(CO)3]Br, and [Mn(CO)3(tqa-κ3N)]Br as well as the previously described compound [Mn(CO)3(tpa-κ3N)]Br with bpqa = bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)(2-quinolinylmethyl)amine, bqpa = bis(2-quinolinylmethyl)(2-pyridinylmethyl)amine, tqa = tris(2-quinolinylmethyl)amine, and tpa = tris(2-pyridinylmethyl)amine were examined for their antibacterial activities on 14 different multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in recognition of the current antimicrobial resistance (AMR) concerns with these pathogens. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the most potent tqa compound were in the mid-micromolar range and generally lower than that of the free ligand. Activity against both bacterial species increased with the number of quinolinylmethyl groups and lipophilicity in the order of tpa < bpqa < bqpa ≈ tqa, consistent with measured increases in release of ATP, a uniquely cytoplasmic biomolecule and induced permeability to exogenous fluorescent intercalating compounds. [Mn(CO)3(tqa-κ3N)]Br was also evaluated in the Galleria mellonella model of infection, and displayed a lack of host toxicity combined with effective bacterial clearance.

Potent Inhibition of Thioredoxin Reductase by the Rh Derivatives of Anticancer M(arene/Cp*)(NHC)Cl2 Complexes

Metal complexes provide a versatile platform to develop novel anticancer pharmacophores, and they form stable compounds with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, some of which have been shown to inhibit the cancer-related selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). To expand a library of isostructural NHC complexes, we report here the preparation of Rh^III- and Ir^III(Cp*)(NHC)Cl₂ (Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) compounds and comparison of their properties to the Ru^II- and Os^II(cym) analogues (cym = η⁶-p-cymene). Like the Ru^II- and Os^II(cym) complexes, the Rh^III- and Ir^III(Cp*) derivatives exhibit cytotoxic activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values in the low micromolar range against a set of four human cancer cell lines. In studies on the uptake and localization of the compounds in cancer cells by X-ray fluorescence microscopy, the Ru and Os derivatives were shown to accumulate in the cytoplasmic region of treated cells. In an attempt to tie the localization of the compounds to the inhibition of the tentative target TrxR, it was surprisingly found that only the Rh complexes showed significant inhibitory activity at IC₅₀ values of ∼1 μM, independent of the substituents on the NHC ligand. This indicates that, although TrxR may be a potential target for anticancer metal complexes, it is unlikely the main target or the sole target for the Ru, Os, and Ir compounds described here, and other targets should be considered. In contrast, Rh(Cp*)(NHC)Cl₂ complexes may be a scaffold for the development of TrxR inhibitors.

Synthesis, toxicity and antitumor activity of cobalt carbonyl complexes targeting hepatocellular carcinoma

Based on our previous research, a series of targeting hepatocellular carcinoma complexes, [R-Glycyrrhetinic acid-CH₂C₂H-[Co₂(CO)₆] (R = H, 1; R = NSAIDs-COOH, 2-4; R = Aromatic acid, 5-7; R = Amino acid, 8-10), were synthesized. The test showed they are slow CO releasers. Using HeLa, A549, HT-29, SMMC7721 and HepG2 cells as models, their activities against tumor cell proliferation were firstly evaluated. The resulting data show all the complexes displayed a good anti-proliferation activity against the HepG2 and SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells, and their IC₅₀ values were in the range of 10.07-66.06 µM; compared with cis-platin (DDP), their activities were comparable or even better under the same condition. Among them, complexes 3, 4, 6 and 9 exhibited higher anti-proliferation activities against HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell lines than the other cell lines. To confirm further these complexes have selectivity to the liver cells, the uptakes of complexes 3, 4, 6 and 9 by HepG2, HT-29, A549 and SMMC7721 cell lines were studied. The results show the cell uptake rates of the complexes by HepG2 cells and SMMC7721 cells were much greater than by other cells under the same condition. In following tests, the tested complexes displayed higher activities in inhibiting NF-kB, COX-2 and iNOS; and they induced HepG2 cells apoptosis by mitochondrial pathway, which assessed by staining with different fluorescent reagent DAPI, PI, Mito-Tracker Green and DCFH-DA. Meanwhile, the tested complexes up-regulated the expression levels of caspase-3 and Bax, down-regulated the Bcl-2 expression. In addition, they had no effect on zebrafish embryo survival, embryo hatching, embryonic movement, zebrafish malformation and zebrafish movement at below 0.5 µM. This suggests the complexes are potential candidates to be used in clinic for liver cancers.

Syntheses and anti-cancer activity of CO-releasing molecules with targeting galactose receptors

CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) containing cobalt have many bioactivities, but most of them do not dissolve in water and have no selectivity to tissue and organs. On the basis of the specific recognition of galactose or sialic acid by a receptor, a series of CORMs based on carbohydrates were synthesized and evaluated. The test results show that all the complexes displayed anticancer activity. Among them, the effects of the complexes of galactose (1), GalNAc (8) and sialic acid (10) were very distinct. Complex 1 displayed higher activity against HeLa, HePG2, MCF-7 and HT-29 cell proliferation than cis-platin (DDP), and its selectivity was far much better than DDP compared with normal cell W138. Furthermore, the uptakes of complexes 1, 8 and 10 by HePG2, HT-29, A549 and RAW264.7 cell lines were studied. The uptake ratio of each cell line for complex 1 was different, and the order of uptake ratio in the four cell lines was HePG2 > HT-29 > RAW264.7 > A549. The HePG2 cells absorbed complex 1 beyond 60% after incubation for 8 h, while A549 absorbed only 27.8%. For complex 8, the uptake trend was similar to that of complex 1 with it being absorbed by all the four cancer cells, but the uptake rate was lower. However, differently, complex 10 was absorbed heavily by macrophage RAW264.7, followed by HePG2; after 8 h incubation, the uptake ratio of RAW264.7 was over 50%. In addition, the mechanism of action was explored, and the results showed that the complexes inhibited cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase; complex 1 up-regulated the expression levels of caspase-3 and Bax, and down-regulated the Bcl-2 expression, giving rise to HePG2 cell apoptosis.

Biguanide Iridium(III) Complexes with Potent Antimicrobial Activity

We have synthesized novel organoiridium(III) antimicrobial complexes containing a chelated biguanide, including the antidiabetic drug metformin. These 16- and 18-electron complexes were characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Several of these complexes exhibit potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)) and high antifungal potency toward C. albicans and C. neoformans, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the nanomolar range. Importantly, the complexes exhibit low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells, indicating high selectivity. They are highly stable in broth medium, with a low tendency to generate resistance mutations. On coadministration, they can restore the activity of vancomycin against vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). Also the complexes can disrupt and eradicate bacteria in mature biofilms. Investigations of reactions with biomolecules suggest that these organometallic complexes deliver active biguanides into microorganisms, whereas the biguanides themselves are inactive when administered alone.

Organometallic compounds in the discovery of new agents against kinetoplastid-caused diseases

The development of safe and affordable antiparasitic agents effective against neglected tropical diseases is a big challenge of the drug discovery. The drugs currently employed have limitations such as poor efficacy, drug resistance or side effects. Thus, the search for new promising drugs is more and more crucial. Metal complexes and, in particular, organometallic compounds may expand the list of the drug candidates due to the peculiar attributes that the presence of the metal core add to the organic fragment (e.g., redox and structural features, ability to interact with DNA or protein targets, etc.). To date, most organometallic compounds tested as anti-neglected tropical diseases are based on similarities or activity of the organic ligands against other diseases or parasites and/or consist in modification of existing drugs combining the features of the metal moiety and the organic ligands. This review focuses on recent studies (2012-2017) on organometallic compounds in treating kinetoplastid-caused diseases such as Human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. This field of research, however, still lacks exhaustive studies to identify of parasitic targets and quantitative structure-activity relationships for a rational drug design.

Antipseudomonal activity enhancement of luminescent iridium(iii) dipyridylamine complexes under visible blue light

Cyclometallated iridium(iii) dipyridylamine complexes present antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, a highly resistant pathogenic bacterium. This activity is increased when the complex is conjugated to biotin, a bacterial nutrient, and a MIC of 4 μM (4 μg mL^-1) has been observed. The irradiation of P. aeruginosa cultures with blue LED light potentiates the anti-bacterial activities of these iridium(iii) complexes when they are conjugated to a glycoside.

DFT/TDDFT computational study of the structural, electronic and optical properties of rhodium (III) and iridium (III) complexes based on tris-picolinate bidentate ligands

The electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of two complexes [M(pic)₃] (M = Ir, Rh) containing picolinate as bidentate ligands have been calculated by means density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT/TD-DFT using three hybrid functionals B3LYP, PBE0 and mPW1PW91. The PBE0 and mPW1PW91 functionals, which have the same HF exchange fraction (25%), give similar results and do not differ drastically from B3LYP results. Calculated geometric parameters of the complexes are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The UV absorptions observed in acetonitrile were assigned on the basis of singlet state transitions. The most intense band observed in the UV-C region corresponds to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer states (LLCT) in both complexes. The theoretical spectrum of the rhodium complex is characterized by a large degree of mixing between metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT), LLCT and metal centered (MC) states in the UV-A region. The presence of low-lying excited states with MC character affects the absorption spectrum under spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effects and play important roles in the photochemical properties. Graphical abstract Frontier molecular orbital diagram of mer-M(pic)₃ (M=Ir, Rh).

Methylation of Ir(iii)-tetrazolato complexes: an effective route to modulate the emission outputs and to switch to antimicrobial properties

Two neutral cyclometalated Ir(iii)-tetrazolato complexes that differ by variations of the substituents on either the phenylpyridine or the tetrazolate ligand have been converted into the corresponding methylated and cationic analogues. NMR (¹H and ¹³C) characterization of the Ir(iii) complexes provided the results in agreement with the chemo- and regioselective character of methylation at the N-3 position of the Ir(iii)-coordinated tetrazolato ring. This evidence was further corroborated by the analysis of the molecular structures of the cationic complexes obtained by X-ray diffraction. In view of the photophysical properties, the addition of a methyl moiety to neutral Ir(iii) tetrazolates, which behave as sky-blue or orange phosphors, caused a systematic red shift of their phosphorescence output. The transformation of neutral Ir(iii) tetrazolates into cationic Ir(iii)-tetrazole complexes was screened for any eventual antimicrobial activity in vitro against Gram negative (E. coli) and Gram positive (D. radiodurans) microorganisms. While both kinds of complexes were not active against E. coli, the conversion of the neutral Ir(iii) tetrazolates into the corresponding methylated and cationic Ir(iii)tetrazole derivatives determined the turn-on of a good to excellent antimicrobial activity toward Gram positive Deinococcus radiodurans, a non-pathogenic bacterium that is listed as one of the toughest microorganisms in light of its outstanding resistance to radiation and oxidative stress.

Characterization of the Activities of Dinuclear Thiolato-Bridged Arene Ruthenium Complexes against Toxoplasma gondii

The in vitro effects of 18 dinuclear thiolato-bridged arene ruthenium complexes (1 monohiolato compound, 4 dithiolato compounds, and 13 trithiolato compounds), originally designed as anticancer agents, on the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii grown in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) host cells were studied. Some trithiolato compounds exhibited antiparasitic efficacy at concentrations of 250 nM and below. Among those, complex 1 and complex 2 inhibited T. gondii proliferation with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀s) of 34 and 62 nM, respectively, and they did not affect HFFs at dosages of 200 μM or above, resulting in selectivity indices of >23,000. The IC₅₀s of complex 9 were 1.2 nM for T. gondii and above 5 μM for HFFs. Transmission electron microscopy detected ultrastructural alterations in the matrix of the parasite mitochondria at the early stages of treatment, followed by a more pronounced destruction of tachyzoites. However, none of the three compounds applied at 250 nM for 15 days was parasiticidal. By affinity chromatography using complex 9 coupled to epoxy-activated Sepharose followed by mass spectrometry, T. gondii translation elongation factor 1α and two ribosomal proteins, RPS18 and RPL27, were identified to be potential binding proteins. In conclusion, organometallic ruthenium complexes exhibit promising activities against Toxoplasma, and the potential mechanisms of action of these compounds as well as their prospective applications for the treatment of toxoplasmosis are discussed.

Half-sandwich iridium N-heterocyclic carbene anticancer complexes

Half-sandwich iridium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes display potent anticancer activities and are attractive for development as new anticancer agents.

A survey of the mechanisms of action of anticancer transition metal complexes

Metal complexes have been the subject of numerous investigations in oncology but, despite the plethora of newly synthesized compounds, their precise mechanisms of action remain generally unknown or, for the best, incompletely determined. The continuous development of efficient and sensitive techniques in analytical chemistry and molecular biology gives scientists new tools to gather information on how metal complexes can be effective toward cancer. This review focuses on recent findings about the anticancer mechanism of action of metal complexes and how the ligands can be used to tune their pharmacological and physicochemical properties.

Iridium(I) Compounds as Prospective Anticancer Agents: Solution Chemistry, Antiproliferative Profiles and Protein Interactions for a Series of Iridium(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

A series of structurally related mono- and bis-NHC-iridium(I) (NHC: N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes have been investigated for their suitability as potential anticancer drugs. Their spectral behaviour in aqueous buffers under physiological-like conditions and their cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HT-29 are reported. Notably, almost all complexes exhibit significant cytotoxic effects towards both cancer cell lines. In general, the cationic bis-carbene complexes show higher stability and greater anticancer activity than their neutral mono-carbene analogues with IC50 values in the high nanomolar range. Furthermore, to gain initial mechanistic insight, the interactions of these iridium(I)-NHC complexes with two model proteins, namely lysozyme and cytochrome c, were explored by HR-ESI-MS analyses. The different protein metalation patterns of the complexes can be roughly classified into two distinct groups. Those interactions give us a first idea about the possible mechanism of action of this class of compounds. Overall, our findings show that iridium(I)-NHC complexes represent very interesting candidates for further development as new metal-based anticancer drugs.

Silver(I), gold(I) and palladium(II) complexes of a NHC-pincer ligand with an aminotriazine core: a comparison with pyridyl analogues

Dinuclear silver, di- and tetra-nuclear gold, and mononuclear palladium complexes with chelating C,N,C diethylaminotriazinyl-bridged bis(NHC) pincer ligands were prepared and characterised. The silver and gold complexes exist in a twisted, helical conformation in both the solution- and the solid state. In contrast, an analogous dinuclear gold complex with pyridyl-bridged NHCs exists in a linear conformation. Computational studies have been performed to rationalise the formation of twisted/helical vs. linear forms.

Luminescent bioactive NHC–metal complexes to bring light into cells

This review provides an overview of the state of the art in the field of theranostic anticancer luminescent organometallic complexes.

Rhodium(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene Bioorganometallics as in Vitro Antiproliferative Agents with Distinct Effects on Cellular Signaling

Organometallics with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have triggered major interest in inorganic medicinal chemistry. Complexes of the type Rh(I)(NHC)(COD)X (where X is Cl or I, COD is cyclooctadiene, and NHC is a dimethylbenzimidazolylidene) represent a promising type of new metallodrugs that have been explored by advanced biomedical methods only recently. In this work, we have synthesized and characterized several complexes of this type. As observed by mass spectrometry, these complexes remained stable over at least 3 h in aqueous solution, after which hydrolysis of the halido ligands occurred and release of the NHC ligand was evident. Effects against mitochondria and general cell tumor metabolism were noted at higher concentrations, whereas phosphorylation of HSP27, p38, ERK1/2, FAK, and p70S6K was induced substantially already at lower exposure levels. Regarding the antiproliferative activity in tumor cells, a clear preference for iodido over chlorido secondary ligands was noted, as well as effects of the substituents of the NHC ligand.