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Zhao Q, Han B, Peng C, Zhang N, Huang W, He G, Li JL. A promising future of metal-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in medicinal chemistry: The emerging bioorganometallic antitumor agents. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 38591229 DOI: 10.1002/med.22039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Metal complexes based on N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have emerged as promising broad-spectrum antitumor agents in bioorganometallic medicinal chemistry. In recent decades, studies on cytotoxic metal-NHC complexes have yielded numerous compounds exhibiting superior cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin. Although the molecular mechanisms of these anticancer complexes are not fully understood, some potential targets and modes of action have been identified. However, a comprehensive review of their biological mechanisms is currently absent. In general, apoptosis caused by metal-NHCs is common in tumor cells. They can cause a series of changes after entering cells, such as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) variation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cytochrome c (cyt c) release, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, lysosome damage, and caspase activation, ultimately leading to apoptosis. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the influence of metal-NHCs on cancer cell apoptosis is crucial. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent advances in metal-NHC complexes that trigger apoptotic cell death via different apoptosis-related targets or signaling pathways, including B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2 family), p53, cyt c, ER stress, lysosome damage, thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibition, and so forth. We also discuss the challenges, limitations, and future directions of metal-NHC complexes to elucidate their emerging application in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Dermatology & Venerolog, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology & Venerolog, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun-Long Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Anti-Infective Agent Creation Engineering Research Centre of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
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Compagno N, Piccolo R, Bortolamiol E, Demitri N, Rizzolio F, Visentin F, Scattolin T. Platinum(0)-η 2-1,2-( E)ditosylethene Complexes Bearing Phosphine, Isocyanide and N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity towards Ovarian and Breast Cancer Cells. Molecules 2024; 29:1119. [PMID: 38474631 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
A wide range of platinum(0)-η2-(E)-1,2-ditosylethene complexes bearing isocyanide, phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene ancillary ligands have been prepared with high yields and selectivity. All the novel products underwent thorough characterization using spectroscopic techniques, including NMR and FT-IR analyses. Additionally, for some compounds, the solid-state structures were elucidated through X-ray diffractometry. The synthesized complexes were successively evaluated for their potential as anticancer agents against two ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and A2780cis) and one breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). The majority of the compounds displayed promising cytotoxicity within the micromolar range against A2780 and MDA-MB-231 cells, with IC50 values comparable to or even surpassing those of cisplatin. However, only a subset of compounds was cytotoxic against cisplatin-resistant cancer cells (A2780cis). Furthermore, the assessment of antiproliferative activity on MRC-5 normal cells revealed certain compounds to exhibit in vitro selectivity. Notably, complexes 3d, 6a and 6b showed low cytotoxicity towards normal cells (IC50 > 100 µM) while concurrently displaying potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Compagno
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Nanosystems Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy
| | - Rachele Piccolo
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Nanosystems Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy
| | - Enrica Bortolamiol
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Nanosystems Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy
| | - Nicola Demitri
- Area Science Park Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Nanosystems Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Biology and Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Fabiano Visentin
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Nanosystems Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy
| | - Thomas Scattolin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Bortolamiol E, Botter E, Cavarzerani E, Mauceri M, Demitri N, Rizzolio F, Visentin F, Scattolin T. Rational Design of Palladium(II) Indenyl and Allyl Complexes Bearing Phosphine and Isocyanide Ancillary Ligands with Promising Antitumor Activity. Molecules 2024; 29:345. [PMID: 38257258 PMCID: PMC10819880 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
A new class of palladium-indenyl complexes characterized by the presence of one bulky alkyl isocyanide and one aryl phosphine serving as ancillary ligands has been prepared, presenting high yields and selectivity. All the new products were completely characterized using spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques (NMR, FT-IR, and HRMS), and, for most of them, it was also possible to define their solid-state structures via X-ray diffractometry, revealing that the indenyl fragment always binds to the metal centre with a hapticity intermediate between ƞ3 and ƞ5. A reactivity study carried out using piperidine as a nucleophilic agent proved that the indenyl moiety is the eligible site of attack rather than the isocyanide ligand or the metal centre. All complexes were tested as potential anticancer agents against three ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780, A2780cis, and OVCAR-5) and one breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231), displaying comparable activity with respect to cisplatin, which was used as a positive control. Moreover, the similar cytotoxicity observed towards A2780 and A2780cis cells (cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant, respectively) suggests that our palladium derivatives presumably act with a mechanism of action different than that of the clinically approved platinum drugs. For comparison, we also synthesized Pd-ƞ3-allyl derivatives, which generally showed a slightly higher activity towards ovarian cancer cells and lower activity towards breast cancer cells with respect to their Pd-indenyl congeners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bortolamiol
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy; (E.B.); (E.B.); (E.C.); (M.M.); (F.R.)
| | - Eleonora Botter
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy; (E.B.); (E.B.); (E.C.); (M.M.); (F.R.)
| | - Enrico Cavarzerani
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy; (E.B.); (E.B.); (E.C.); (M.M.); (F.R.)
| | - Matteo Mauceri
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy; (E.B.); (E.B.); (E.C.); (M.M.); (F.R.)
| | - Nicola Demitri
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, S.S. 14 Km 163.5 Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy; (E.B.); (E.B.); (E.C.); (M.M.); (F.R.)
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Biology and Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Via Franco Gallini 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Fabiano Visentin
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari, Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy; (E.B.); (E.B.); (E.C.); (M.M.); (F.R.)
| | - Thomas Scattolin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Behçet A, Taslimi P, Şen B, Taskın-Tok T, Aktaş A, Gök Y, Aygün M, Gülçin İ. New palladium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene and morpholine ligands: Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, molecular docking, and biological activities. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23554. [PMID: 37855258 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
This work includes the synthesis of a new series of palladium-based complexes containing both morpholine and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. The new complexes were characterized using NMR (1 H and 13 C), FTIR spectroscopic, and elemental analysis techniques. The crystal structure of complex 1b was obtained by utilizing the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. X-ray studies show that the coordination environment of palladium atom is completed by the carbene carbon atom of the NHC ligand, the nitrogen atom of the morpholine ring, and a pair of bromide ligand, resulting in the formation of slightly distorted square planar geometry. All complexes were determined for some metabolic enzyme activities. Results indicated that all the synthetic complexes exhibited powerful inhibitory actions against all aims as compared to the control molecules. Ki values of new morpholine-liganded complexes bearing 4-hydroxyphenylethyl group 1a-e for hCA I, hCA II, AChE, BChE, and α-glycosidase enzymes were obtained in the ranges 0.93-2.14, 1.01-2.03, 4.58-10.27, 7.02-13.75, and 73.86-102.65 µM, respectively. Designing of reported complexes is impacted by molecular docking study, and interaction with the current enzymes also proclaimed that compounds 1e (-12.25 kcal/mol for AChE and -11.63 kcal/mol for BChE), 1c (-10.77 kcal/mol and -9.26 kcal/mol for α-Gly and hCA II, respectively), and 1a (-8.31 kcal/mol for hCA I) are showing binding affinity and interaction from the synthesized five novel complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayten Behçet
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye
| | - Parham Taslimi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Bartin University, Bartin, Türkiye
| | - Betül Şen
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, Buca, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Taskın-Tok
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Türkiye
- Institute of Health Sciences, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Türkiye
| | - Aydın Aktaş
- Vocational School of Health Service, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye
| | - Yetkin Gök
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye
| | - Muhittin Aygün
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, Buca, Türkiye
| | - İlhami Gülçin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Türkiye
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Kozlov VA, Aleksanyan DV, Churusova SG, Spiridonov AA, Rybalkina EY, Gutsul EI, Aksenova SA, Korlyukov AA, Peregudov AS, Klemenkova ZS. Unsymmetrical Pd(II) Pincer Complexes with Benzothiazole and Thiocarbamate Flanking Units: Expedient Solvent-Free Synthesis and Anticancer Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17331. [PMID: 38139160 PMCID: PMC10744248 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Driven by the growing threat of cancer, many research efforts are directed at developing new chemotherapeutic agents, where the central role is played by transition metal complexes. The proper ligand design serves as a key factor to unlock the anticancer potential of a particular metal center. Following a recent trend, we have prepared unsymmetrical pincer ligands that combine benzothiazole and thiocarbamate donor groups. These compounds are shown to readily undergo direct cyclopalladation, affording the target S,C,N-type Pd(II) pincer complexes both in solution and in the absence of a solvent. The solid-phase strategy provided the complexes in an efficient and ecologically friendly manner. The resulting palladacycles are fully characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy and, in one case, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The solvent-free reactions are additionally analyzed by powder XRD. The pincer complexes exhibit remarkable cytotoxicity against several solid and blood cancer cell lines, including human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), breast cancer (MCF7), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3), chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562), multiple plasmacytoma (AMO1), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (H9), with the dimethylamino-substituted derivative being particularly effective. The latter also induced an appreciable level of apoptosis in both parental and doxorubicin-resistant cells K562 and K562/iS9, vindicating the high anticancer potential of this type of palladacycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir A. Kozlov
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
| | - Diana V. Aleksanyan
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
- Scientific Laboratory “Advanced Composite Materials and Technologies”, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Stremyannyi per. 36, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana G. Churusova
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
| | - Aleksandr A. Spiridonov
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
| | - Ekaterina Yu. Rybalkina
- N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Kashirskoe shosse 23, 115478 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Evgenii I. Gutsul
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
| | - Svetlana A. Aksenova
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
| | - Alexander A. Korlyukov
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
| | - Alexander S. Peregudov
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
| | - Zinaida S. Klemenkova
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 28, Str. 1, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (V.A.K.); (S.G.C.); (A.A.S.); (E.I.G.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.K.); (A.S.P.); (Z.S.K.)
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González-Montiel S, Velázquez-Jiménez R, Segovia-Pérez R, Fragoso-Soto W, Martínez-Otero D, Andrade-López N, Salazar-Pereda V, Cruz-Borbolla J. η3-allyl-Pd(II) complexes of 2-, 3- and 4-pyridylmethyl-coumarin esters. TRANSIT METAL CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11243-022-00518-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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