Interaction of methotrexate, an anticancer agent, with copper(II) ions: coordination pattern, DNA-cleaving properties and cytotoxic studies

Evaluation of methotrexate encapsulated polymeric nanocarrier for breast cancer treatment

Herein, Methotrexate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Meth-Cs-NPs) was formulated through single-step self-assembly by incorporating the ionic-gelation method. Chitosan was cross-linked with Methotrexate via a sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) where 49 % Methotrexate was loaded in the nanoparticles (∼143 nm) and zeta potential of 34 ± 3 mV with an entrapment efficiency of 87 %. The efficacy of nanoparticles was assessed for chemically induced breast cancer treatment in the Sprague Dawley rats model. These Meth-Cs-NPs followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model in-vitro release kinetics. Nanoparticles were further evaluated for in-vitro efficacy on triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. The MTT assay studies revealed that even slight exposure to Meth-Cs-NPs (IC₅₀ = 15 µg/mL) caused 50 % cell death in 24 h. Further, hemocompatibility studies of Meth-Cs-NPs were performed, deciphered that Meth-Cs-NPs were biocompatible (hemolysis < 2 %). Additional cellular uptake was evaluated by confocal imaging. Moreover, an in-vivo pharmacokinetic study of nanoparticles in rats displayed increased plasma concentration of the drug and retention time, whereas a decrease in cellular clearance compared to free Methotrexate. Further, anti-tumor efficacy studies revealed that nanoparticles could reduce tumor volume from 1414 mm³→385 mm³ compared to free Methotrexate (1414 mm³→855 mm³). The current study presents encouraging prospects of Meth-Cs-NPs to be used as a viable breast cancer treatment modality.

Novel Gallium(III), Germanium(IV), and Hafnium(IV) Folate Complexes and Their Spectroscopic, Thermal Decomposition, Morphological, and Biological Characteristics

In this study, we describe novel gallium(III), germanium(IV), and hafnium(IV) folate complexes, including their synthesis and analyses. The synthesized folate complexes were also subject to thermal analysis (TGA) to better examine their thermal degradation and kinetic properties. The folate complexes had high stability and were nonspontaneous. The Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations were used to determine thermodynamic parameters and describe the kinetic properties. These complexes were synthesized through the chemical interactions in neutralized media between the folic acid drug ligand (FAH₂) with GaCl₃, GeCl₄, and HfCl₄ metal salts at 1 : 2 (metal : ligand) molar ratio. The conductance measurements have low values due to their nonelectrolytic behavior. The X-ray powder diffraction solid powder pattern revealed a semicrystalline nature. In vitro, we screened the synthesized folate chelates for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The inhibition of four bacterial and two fungi pathogens (E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, A. flavus, and Candida albicans) was improved using a folic acid drug relative to the control drug.

Paper Analytic Device to Detect the Presence of Four Chemotherapy Drugs

A paper analytic device, the chemoPAD, was developed and validated to visually detect methotrexate, doxorubicin, cisplatin, and oxaliplatin at concentrations commonly found in injectable dosage forms. By testing residual solution after patient treatment, the chemoPAD can be used to monitor drug quality without restriction of patient access to medication. The chemoPAD is produced by wax printing on Ahlstrom paper to create separate reaction areas and deposits small amounts of chemicals to create color changes in response to different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This creates a unique color bar code to identify each medication. Internal validation studies show that the chemoPAD has excellent sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between samples of 100% and 0% API, which is the distinction relevant to the majority of reported falsified chemotherapy cases. The platinum-containing drugs, cisplatin and oxaliplatin, can be detected semiquantitatively. The cards can be read either visually by comparison with a standard image or by using computer image analysis. Dosage forms were collected from the Ethiopian health care system and analyzed with the chemoPAD followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A substandard sample was discovered and reported to the Ethiopian Food Medicine and Healthcare Administration and Control Authority.

Half Sandwich Rhodium(III) and Iridium(III) Complexes as Cytotoxic and Metallonuclease Agents

Half sandwich complexes of the type [(η5-C₅Me₅)M(L^1-3)Cl]Cl.2H₂O were synthesized using [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl}₂], where M = Rh(III)/Ir(III) and L^1-3 = pyrimidine-based ligands. The complexes were characterized by spectral analysis. DNA interaction studies by absorption titration and hydrodynamic measurement and suggest intercalative mode of binding of complexes with CT-DNA. The molecular docking study also supports intercalation of the complexes between the stacks of nucleotide base pairs. The gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to interact and cleave plasmid DNA. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the complexes were investigated by the microdilution broth method. The cytotoxic properties of the metal complexes were evaluated using brine shrimp lethality bioassay.

CuI and CuII complexes with phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolone antibiotics - A comparative study on the cytotoxic mode of action

In this paper, we present a comparative study on the cytotoxic mode of action of copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin HCp and norfloxacin HNr). The in vitro cytotoxic activity of four new compounds was tested against two selected cancer cell lines. All complexes exhibited much better cytotoxicity against both cell lines than unmodified fluoroquinolone antibiotics, their phosphines (PCp, PNr), chalcogenide derivatives (oxides: OPCp, OPNr; sulfides: SPCp, SPNr and selenides: SePCp, SePNr) and previously described by us complexes with phosphines derived from different fluoroquinolones: lomefloxacin (HLm) and sparfloxacin (HSf) as well as cisplatin. Apoptosis, observed at a great predominance, was induced by all studied complexes. Importantly, it was concluded that coordination compounds with Cu(I) ion ([Cu^I-PNr] and [Cu^I-PCp]) were much more active than those with Cu(II) ion ([OPNr-Cu^II], [OPCp-Cu^II]), even though the highest efficacy to produce reactive oxygen species, participating in overall cytotoxicity, was proved for copper(II) complexes among all studied compounds. Herein, we discuss not only results obtained for copper(I)/(II) complexes with phosphines derived from HNr and HCp but we also compare them to previously described data for complexes with HLm and HSf derivatives. This is the first insight into a structure-activity relationship of copper complexes with phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Electrochemical synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity study of copper(ii) carboxylates with different fatty acid alkyl chain lengths

This study examines the optimum electrolysis parameters and cytotoxic effects of Cu(ii) carboxylates with different alkyl chain fatty acid ligands.

Kinetics of lipid bilayer permeation of a series of ionisable drugs and their correlation with human transporter-independent intestinal permeability

For low molecular weight drugs, lipid bilayer permeation is considered the major route for in vivo cell barrier passage. We recently introduced a fluorescence assay with liposomes to determine permeation kinetics of ionisable compounds across the lipid bilayer by monitoring drug-induced pH changes inside the liposomes. Here, we determined the permeability coefficients (P_FLipP, FLipP for "Fluorescence Liposomal Permeability") across 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayers of 35 ionisable drugs at pH6.0 and compared them to available in vivo human jejunal permeability (P_eff) data. P_FLipP values were furthermore compared with published Caco-2 cell permeability coefficients (P_Caco-2), permeability coefficients determined with the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) and with log D (pH6.0). The log P_FLipP, corrected for predicted para-cellular diffusion, and log P_Caco-2 correlated best with log P_eff, with similar adjusted R² (0.75 and 0.74, n=12). Our results suggest that transporter-independent intestinal drug absorption is predictable from liposomal permeability.

Polymeric micelles stabilized by polyethylenimine–copper (C2H5N–Cu) coordination for sustained drug release

Polymeric micelles stabilized by polyethylenimine–copper (C₂H₅N–Cu) coordination were described to improve the release property of water-insoluble anticancer drug.

Coordination versatility of phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolones. New CuI and CuII complexes and their interactions with DNA

This paper describes syntheses and interactions with DNA of copper(i) and copper(ii) complexes with phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin).