Silver(I) complexes with chromone-derived hydrazones: investigation on the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects

In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of a New Chromone Derivative against Candida spp

Candida species are frequently implicated in the development of both superficial and invasive fungal infections, which can impact vital organs. In the quest for novel strategies to combat fungal infections, there has been growing interest in exploring synthetic and semi-synthetic products, particularly chromone derivatives, renowned for their antimicrobial properties. In the analysis of the antifungal activity of the compound (E)-benzylidene-chroman-4-one against Candida, in silico and laboratory tests were performed to predict possible mechanisms of action pathways, and in vitro tests were performed to determine antifungal activity (MIC and MFC), to verify potential modes of action on the fungal cell membrane and wall, and to assess cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes. The tested compound exhibited predicted affinity for all fungal targets, with the highest predicted affinity observed for thymidylate synthase (-102.589 kJ/mol). MIC and CFM values ranged from 264.52 μM (62.5 μg/mL) to 4232.44 μM (1000 μg/mL). The antifungal effect likely occurs due to the action of the compound on the plasma membrane. Therefore, (E)-benzylidene-chroman-4-one showed fungicidal-like activity against Candida spp., possibly targeting the plasma membrane.

Synthesis, crystal structure and studies on the interaction with albumin of a new silver(I) complex based on 2-(4-nitrobenzenesulfonamido)benzoic acid

In the present work, the two-dimensional (2D) polymer poly[[μ₄-2-(4-nitrobenzenesulfonamido)benzoato-κ⁴O¹:O¹:O^1':N⁶]silver(I)] (AgL), [Ag(C₁₃H₉N₂O₆S)]_n, was obtained from 2-(4-nitrobenzenesulfonamido)benzoic acid (HL), C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₆S. FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopic analyses were used to characterize both compounds. The crystal structures of HL and AgL were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the structure of HL, O-H...O hydrogen bonds between neighbouring molecules result in the formation of dimers, while the silver(I) complex shows polymerization associated with the O atoms of three distinct deprotonated ligands (L^-). Thus, the structure of the Ag complex can be considered as a coordination polymer consisting of a one-dimensional linear chain, constructed by carboxylate bridging groups, running parallel to the b axis. Neighbouring polymeric chains are further bridged by Ag-C monohapto contacts, resulting in a 2D framework. Fingerprint analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces show that O...H/H...O hydrogen bonds are responsible for the most significant contacts in the crystal packing of HL and AgL, followed by the H...H and O...C/C...O interactions. The Ag...Ag, Ag...O/O...Ag and Ag...C/C...Ag interactions in the Hirshfeld surface represent 12.1% of the total interactions in the crystal packing. Studies of the interactions of the compounds with human serum albumin (HSA) indicated that both HL and AgL interact with HSA.

Inhibition of C. albicans Dimorphic Switch by Cobalt(II) Complexes with Ligands Derived from Pyrazoles and Dinitrobenzoate: Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity

Seven cobalt(II) complexes of pyrazole derivatives and dinitrobenzoate ligands were synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure was determined for one of the ligands and one of the complexes. The analysis and spectral data showed that all the cobalt complexes had octahedral geometries, which was supported by DFT calculations. The complexes and their free ligands were evaluated against fungal strains of Candida albicans and emerging non-albicans species and epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. We obtained antifungal activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 31.3 to 250 µg mL-1. The complexes were more active against C. krusei, showing MIC values between 31.25 and 62.5 µg mL-1. In addition, some ligands (L1-L6) and complexes (5 and Co(OAc)2 · 4H2O) significantly reduced the yeast to hypha transition of C. albicans at 500 µg mL-1 (inhibition ranging from 30 to 54%). Finally, the complexes and ligands did not present trypanocidal activity and were not toxic to Vero cells. Our results suggest that complexes of cobalt(II) with ligands derived from pyrazoles and dinitrobenzoate may be an attractive alternative for the treatment of diseases caused by fungi, especially because they target one of the most important virulence factors of C. albicans.

Silver(I) Complexes of the Pharmaceutical Agents Metronidazole and 4-Hydroxymethylpyridine: Comparison of Cytotoxic Profile for Potential Clinical Application

In previous papers, we have reported on the high antifungal and significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of the water-soluble silver(I) complexes of metronidazole and derivatives of pyridine compared to silver nitrate. In the present study, the cytotoxic activity of the silver(I) complexes of metronidazole and 4-hydroxymethylpyridine was compared with that of silver nitrate. Metronidazole and 4-hydroxymethylpyridine were investigated using Balb/c 3T3 and HepG2 cell lines in order to evaluate the potential clinical application of silver(I) complexes. The cells were exposed for 72 h to compounds at eight concentrations. The cytotoxic concentrations (IC₅₀) of the study compounds were assessed within four biochemical endpoints: mitochondrial activity, lysosomal activity, cellular membrane integrity, and total protein content. The investigated silver(I) complexes displayed comparable cytotoxicity to that of silver nitrate used in clinics. Mean cytotoxic concentrations calculated for investigated silver(I) complexes from concentration-response curves ranged from 2.13 to 26.5 µM. HepG2 cells were less sensitive to the tested complexes compared to fibroblasts (Balb/c 3T3). However, the most affected endpoint for HepG2 cells was cellular membrane damage. The cytotoxicity of both silver complexes was comparable for Balb/c 3T3 cells. The cytotoxic potential of the new silver(I) compounds compared to that of silver nitrate used in medicine indicates that they are safe and could be used in clinical practice. The presented results are yet more stimulating to further studies that evaluate the therapeutic use of silver complexes.

[Ag(L)NO3] Complexes with 2-Benzoylpyridine-Derived Hydrazones: Cytotoxic Activity and Interaction with Biomolecules

Complexes [Ag(H2BzPh)NO₃] (1), [Ag(H2BzpCH₃Ph)NO₃] (2), [Ag(H2BzpClPh)NO₃] (3), and [Ag(H2BzpNO₂Ph)NO₃] (4) were synthesized with 2-benzoylpyridine benzoylhydrazone (H2BzPh) and its para-methyl-benzoylhydrazone (H2BzpCH₃Ph), para-chloro-benzoylhydrazone (H2BzpClPh), and para-nitro-benzoylhydrazone (H2BzpNO₂Ph) derivatives. Experimental data indicate that the nitrate ligand binds more strongly to the silver center through one of the oxygen atoms, whereas the second oxygen atom from nitrate and the hydrazone oxygen makes much weaker interactions with the metal. Dissociation of nitrate most probably occurs in solution and in biological media. Interestingly, theoretical calculations suggested that when dissociation of the nitrate takes place, all bond orders involving the metal and the atoms from the hydrazone ligand increase significantly, showing that the bonding of nitrate results in the weakening of all other interactions in the metal coordination sphere. Upon complexation of the hydrazones to silver(I), cytotoxicity against B16F10 metastatic murine melanoma cells increased in all cases. Complexes (1-3) proved to be more cytotoxic than cisplatin. All compounds were more cytotoxic to B16F10 cells than to nontumorigenic murine Melan-A melanocyte cells. Interestingly, the selectivity index (SI = IC_{50 non-malignant cells}/IC_{50 tumor cells}) of complex (1), SI = 23, was much higher than that of the parent hydrazone ligand, SI = 9.5. Studies on the interactions of complexes (1-3) with DNA suggested that although (1-3) interact with calf thymus DNA by an intercalative mode, direct covalent binding of silver(I) to DNA probably does not occur. Complexes (1-3) interact in vitro with human serum albumin indicating that these compounds could be transported by albumin.

Silver(i) complexes with 2-acetylpyridinebenzoylhydrazones exhibit antimicrobial effects against yeast and filamentous fungi

2-Acetylpyridinebenzoylhydrazones and their silver(i) complexes show antimicrobial effects and deserve to be investigated as antifungal drug candidates.