The cytotoxicity effects of a novel Cu complex on MCF-7 human breast cancerous cells

Copper Nanodrugs with Controlled Morphologies through Aqueous Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Copper (Cu) nanodrugs can be facilely prepared through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in an aqueous medium. However, it is difficult to control the morphology of Cu nanodrugs and thereby optimize their anticancer activity. In this work, aqueous ATRP was combined with polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) to prepare Cu nanodrugs with various morphologies. We mapped the relationship between polymerization condition and product morphology in which each morphology shows a wide preparation window. Decreasing the reaction temperature and feeding more Cu catalysts can improve the mobility of chains, facilitating the morphology evolution from sphere to other high-order morphologies. The resultant Cu nanodrugs with high monomer conversion and high Cu loading efficiency could be easily taken by cancer cells, showing excellent anticancer efficacy in vitro. This work proposed a potential strategy to prepare Cu nanodrugs with a specific morphology in batches, providing the method to optimize the anticancer efficacy through morphology control.

Copper Nanodrugs by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

In this study, some copper catalysts used for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were explored as efficient anti-tumor agents. The aqueous solution of copper-containing nanoparticles with uniform spheric morphology was in situ prepared through a copper-catalyzed activator generated by electron transfer (AGET) ATRP in water. Nanoparticles were then directly injected into tumor-bearing mice for antitumor chemotherapy. The copper nanodrugs had prolonged blood circulation time and enhanced accumulation at tumor sites, thus showing potent antitumor activity. This work provides a novel strategy for precise and large-scale preparation of copper nanodrugs with high antitumor activity.

Urolithin B loaded in cerium oxide nanoparticles enhances the anti-glioblastoma effects of free urolithin B in vitro

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive kind of malignant primary brain tumor in humans. Given the limitation of Conventional therapeutic strategy, the development of nanotechnology and natural product therapy seems to be an effective method enhancing the prognosis of GBM patients. In this research, cell viability, mRNA expressions of various apoptosis-related genes apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human U-87 malignant GBM cell line (U87) treated with Urolithin B (UB) and CeO₂-UB. Unlike CeO₂-NPs, both UB and CeO₂-UB caused a dose-dependent decrease in the viability of U87 cells. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of UB and CeO₂-UB were 315 and 250 μM after 24 h, respectively. Moreover, CeO₂-UB exerted significantly higher effects on U87 viability, P53 expression, and ROS generation. Furthermore, UB and CeO2-UB increased the accumulation of U87 cells in the SUB-G1 population, decreased the expression of cyclin D1, and increased the Bax/Bcl2 ratio expression. Collectively, these data indicate that CeO₂-UB exhibited more substantial anti-GBM effects than UB. Although further in vivo investigations are needed, these results proposed that CeO₂-NPs could be utilized as a potential novel anti-GBM agent after further studies.

In vitro and in silico study of the biological activity of tetradentate Schiff base copper(II) complexes with ethylenediamine-bridge

The biological activity of six structurally similar tetradentate Schiff base copper(II) complexes, namely [Cu(ethylenediamine-bis-acetylacetonate)] (CuAA) and five derivatives where two methyl groups are replaced by phenyl, (CuPP), CF3 (CuTT) or by mixed groups CH3/CF3 (CuAT), Ph/CF3 (CuPT), and Ph/CH3 (CuAP) has been investigated. The set of antioxidant assays was performed, and the results were expressed as IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ values. The series of complexes showed interesting bioactivity and were investigated for the determination of antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity. A significant antioxidant behavior was exhibited by complex CuAA, greater than Trolox in the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay. Antibacterial assay over Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacterial strains and some fungal pathogens were studied. Antiproliferative activity of complexes in two human tumor cell lines, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7, colon adenocarcinoma LS-174, and normal fibroblast cells-MRC-5, examined the effect on cell cycle progression. The significant cytotoxic potential, comparable to cisplatin cytotoxicity, was determined in human breast cancer cell line-MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values being 17.53-31.40 μM and human colon cancer cell line-LS-174 with IC₅₀ values being 15.22-23.92 μM. All tested compounds showed nearly twice more selectivity toward cancer cell lines than normal cells. The interactions of complexes with human serum albumin (HSA), the most prominent protein in plasma, were investigated using spectroscopic fluorescence techniques. The complexes bind to human serum albumin at multiple sites (n = 0.2-1.9), displaying a moderate binding constant K_a = 4.1-12.4 × 10⁴ M^-1. The molecular docking experiment effectively showed complex binding to HSA and DNA molecular fragments.

Tetramethyl-phenanthroline copper complexes in the development of drugs to treat cancer: synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity studies of a series of copper(II)-L-dipeptide-3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-phenanthroline complexes

New compounds to fight cancer are needed due to cancer high incidence and lack of curative treatments for several classes of this disease. Metal-based coordination compounds offer a variety of molecules that can turn into drugs. Among them, coordination copper complexes are emerging as an attractive class of compounds for cancer treatment. A series of [Cu(L-dipeptide)(tmp)] (tmp = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) complexes were synthesized and characterized in the solid state, including the determination of the crystalline structure of [Cu(Gly-Gly)(tmp)]·3.5 H₂O and [Cu₂Cl₄(tmp)₂]. The complexes were studied in solution, where the major species are also ternary ones. The lipophilicity of the complexes was determined and the binding to the DNA was evaluated, suggesting that it occurs in the DNA's major groove. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated on different cancer cell lines: human metastatic breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 (triple negative, ATCC: HTB-26), MCF-7 (ATCC: HTB-22), SK-BR-3 (ATCC: HTB-30), human lung epithelial carcinoma A549 (ATCC: CCL-185), cisplatin resistant-human ovarian carcinoma A2780cis (SIGMA) and nontumoral cell lines: MRC-5 (lung; ATCC: CCL-171) and MCF-10A (breast, ATCC: CRL-10317). [Cu(L-dipeptide)(tmp)] complexes are highly cytotoxic as compared to [Cu(L-dipeptide)(phenanthroline)] and cisplatin. Therefore, [Cu(L-dipeptide)(tmp)] complexes are promising candidates to have their in vivo activity further studied toward new treatments for triple negative breast cancer and other aggressive tumors for which there is no curative pharmacological treatment to the date.

Induction of Apoptosis by Nano-Synthesized Complexes of H2L and its Cu(II) Complex in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy is currently the most utilized treatment for cancer. Therapeutic potential of metal complexes in cancer therapy has attracted a lot of interest. The mechanisms of action of most organometallic complexes are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to explore the mechanisms governing the anti-proliferative effect of the free ligand N1,N6-bis((2-hydroxynaphthalin-1-yl)methinyl)) adipohydrazone (H2L) and its complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II).

METHODS

Cells were exposed to H2L or its metal complexes where cell viability determined by MTT assay. Cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. In addition, qRT-PCR was used to monitor the expression of Bax and Bcl-2. Moreover, molecular docking was carried out to find the potentiality of Cu(II) complex as an inhibitor of Adenosine Deaminase (ADA). ADA, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and reduced Glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in the most affected cancer cell line.

RESULTS

The obtained results demonstrated that H2L and its Cu(II) complex exhibited a strong cytotoxic activity compared to other complexes against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀=4.14±0.036μM/ml and 3.2±0.02μM/ml), respectively. Both H2L and its Cu(II) complex induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells. Additionally, they induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells via upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2. Interestingly, the activity of ADA was decreased by 2.8 fold in HepG2 cells treated with Cu(II) complex compared to untreated cells. An increase of SOD activity and GSH level in HepG2 cells compared to control was observed.

CONCLUSION

The results concluded that Cu(II) complex of H2L induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Further studies are needed to confirm its anti-cancer effect in vivo.

Interaction, binding capacity and anticancer properties of N,N′-bis(acetylacetone)-propylenediimine-copper(ii) on colorectal cancer cell line Caco-2

The binding capacity and interaction of N,N′-bis(acetylacetone)propylenediimine-copper(ii) with HSA were systemically investigated in vitro and in silico.

Synthesis and high antiproliferative activity of dehydroabietylamine pyridine derivatives in vitro and in vivo

Several bioactive dehydroabietylamine Schiff-bases (L1-L4), amides (L5-L11) and complex CuL3(NO3)2, Cu(L5)3, Co(L6)2Cl2 had been synthesized successfully for developing more efficient but lower toxic antiproliferative compounds. Their antiproliferative activities to Hela (cervix), HepG2 (liver), MCF-7 (breast), A549 (lung) and HUVEC (umbilical vein, normal cell) were investigated in vitro. The toxicity of all compounds was less than dehydroabietylamine (L0). For HepG2 cells, L1, L2 and L3 had higher anti-HepG2 activity, especially L1 (0.52 µM) had highest anti-HepG2 activity but low toxicity. For MCF-7 cells, L1, L2, L3 and L4 had higher anti-MCF-7 activity, especially L3(0.49 µM) had highest anti-MCF-7 activity but low toxicity. For A549 cells, L2 and L3 had higher anti-A549 activity. Furthermore, L1 and L3 may be the great promise antiproliferative drugs with nontoxic side effects, due to the high anti-HepG2 and anti-MCF-7 inhibition rate in vivo, 65% and 61%, respectively. L1, L2 and L3 could induce apoptosis through intercalating into DNA.

Apoptotic effect of novel pyrazolone-based derivative [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] on HeLa cells and its mechanism

Pyrazolone complexes have strong anti-tumor and antibacterial properties, but the anti-tumor mechanism of pyrazolone-based copper complexes has not been fully understood. In this study, the possible mechanism and the inhibitory effect of a novel pyrazolone-based derivative compound [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) was investigated. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] effectively inhibited proliferation of HeLa cells in vitro with an IC₅₀ value of 2.082 after treatment for 72 h. Cell cycle analysis showed apoptosis was induced by blocking the cell cycle in the S phase. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, PARP cleavage, and activation of caspase-3/9 in HeLa cells. Additionally, [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway and activated the P38/MAPK, and JNK/MAPK pathways. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] also inhibited the phosphorylation of Iκ-Bα in the NF-κB pathway activated by TNF-α, thus restricting the proliferation of HeLa cells which were activated by TNF-α. In conclusion, [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and induced apoptosis possibly via the caspase-dependent mitochondria-mediated pathway. These results suggest that [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] can be a potential candidate for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles at low temperature in a fast pace with unique DPPH radical scavenging and selective cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and BT-20 tumor cell lines

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Black peel pomegranate is a rare cultivar of pomegranate distinguished by a deep red color.

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The peel extract of the pomegranate shows unique pharmaceutical properties such as antioxidant and antibacterial.

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This extract synthesis silver nanoparticles in an ultra-fast pace without any heating or additional accelerators.

"Black Peel Pomegranate" is a rare pomegranate cultivar that its specific features are still uncovered particularly in the bio-nano researches. The present study was organized to evaluate this pomegranate's potential in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles as well as bio-medical activities. According to the results, the pomegranate peel extract incredibly inhibited 100 % of DPPH free radicals (EC₅₀ = 5 μg/mL). This extract also induced more than 70 % cell death in the treated breast tumor cell lines, BT-20 and MCF-7. Interestingly, the extract was capable of biosynthesis very stable and small (15.6 nm) silver nanoparticles at ambient temperature in an ultra-fast pace. Likewise, these nanoparticles inhibited 77 % of DPPH free radicals (EC₅₀ = 9 μg/mL). Although this antioxidant capacity was lower than that of the extract, instead, the anticancer activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was significantly enhanced, so that they led to more than 81 % and 89 % cell death in the breast tumor cell lines BT-20 and MCF-7, respectively. Considerably, neither the extract nor the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, showed significant toxicity against non-tumor cell lines (L-929) at the same concentrations. These features of the biosynthesized nanoparticles were quite outstanding in comparison with chemical/commercial ones. Overall, the present study introduces black peel pomegranate as a worthy bio-agent in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with unique activities as well as a cancer treatment.

6-Methoxyquinoline complexes as lung carcinoma agents: induction of oxidative damage on A549 monolayer and multicellular spheroid model

The aim of this work was to study the antitumor effects and the mechanisms of toxic action of a series of 6-methoxyquinoline (6MQ) complexes in vitro. The Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes (Cu6MQ and Zn6MQ) are formulated as M(6MQ)₂Cl₂; the Co(II) and Ag(I) compounds (Co6MQ and Ag6MQ) are ionic with formulae [Ag(6MQ)₂]⁺NO₃^- and H(6MQ)⁺[Co(6MQ)Cl₃]^- (where H(6MQ)⁺ is the protonated ligand). We found that the copper complex, outperformed the Co(II), Zn(II) and Ag(I) complexes with a lower IC₅₀ (57.9 µM) in A549 cells exposed for 24 h. Cu6MQ decreased cell proliferation and induced oxidative stress detected with H₂DCFDA at 40 µM, which reduces GSH/GSSG ratio. This redox imbalance induced oxidative DNA damage revealed by the Micronucleus test and the Comet assay, which turned into a cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. In multicellular spheroids, the IC₅₀ values tripled the monolayer model (187.3 µM for 24 h). At this concentration, the proportion of live/dead cells diminished, and the spheroids could not proliferate or invade. Although Zn6MQ also decreased GSH/GSSG ratio from 200 µM and the cytotoxicity is related to oxidative stress, the induction of the hydrogen peroxide levels only doubled the control value. Zn6MQ induced S phase arrest, which relates with the increased micronucleus frequency and with the induction of necrosis. Finally, our results reveal a synergistic activity with a 1:1 ratio of both complexes in the monolayer and multicellular spheroids.

Evaluating of Induction of Apoptosis by Cornus mass L. Extract in the Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line (AGS)

Aim and objectives: Natural products and derivatives of medicinal vegetation can play an important role to the cure tumor. The Present study was focused to determine the effect of Cornus mass L. extract on the induction of apoptosis in AGS gastric carcinoma cell line in compared to L929 cells. Methods: In this experimental study, AGS and L929 cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations (0–10 mg/ml) of Cornus mass L. extract for 48 and 72 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. The optical density of the colored solution was quantified at 570 nm wavelengths by an ELISA Reader. Making use of the apoptosis detection kit of Annexin V-FITC, PI and double staining with Annexin V-FITC were carried out for flow cytometry investigations. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Variations with a P-value less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: shows a noticeable deviation among various concentrations of extract when cells were treated for 48, 72 h declined cell viability in AGS cell line in comparison L929 cell lines in a dose and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). This extract also displayed approximately several-fold increased anti-cancer potency in AGS compared to L929 cells. The IC50 value in AGS cells (evaluated after 48,72h) of the extract against AGS cells was 5/44, 2/44 mg/ml (p≤0.05). The analysis results of flow cytometry indicated that apoptosis was induced by the extract in AGS cells treated, compared with L929 cells. Conclusion: Each of our results implicates the reality that Cornus mass L. extract acts as a novel, potent inhibitor of cancer proliferation in in vitro. This may result in developing a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of indole-sensitive cancers.

Effect of a Copper (II) Complex on The Induction of Apoptosis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Objectives:

In the present study, we aimed to identify the anti-proliferative potential of [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex [L = 2-(((5-chloro-2-oxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenolato) and 2imi = 2-methyl imidazole] against HepG2 cells as an in vitro model of human hepatocellular carcinoma and normal mouse fibroblast L929 cells.

Methods:

The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex on HepG2 cells and normal fibroblasts (L929) were examined by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

Results:

Cytotoxicity induced by [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex was time dependent. Also, there was a positive correlation between cytotoxicity and an increase in Cu complex concentration. For HepG2 cells, the cell viability percentage was 50% at 58 μg/mL after 24 h treatment, whereas in the same concentration and conditions, the viability percentage was surprisingly higher (about 100%) for L929 cells. Also, after 48 h treatment, the viability percentage of HepG2 cells at 55 μg/mL concentration was 50% in contrast with 89.3% for L929 cells in the same conditions. Flow cytometry findings suggest that [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex is capable of decreasing cancer cell viability through apoptosis and did not efficiently activate the necrosis process.

Conclusions:

Finally, we found that [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex possess the potential for development as an anti-cancer drug for human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Vanadium complex: an appropriate candidate for killing hepatocellular carcinoma cancerous cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent human malignancy which its drug resistance is increasing world-wide. This project was designed to assess the anti-cancer effects of 4-bromo-2-(((5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl) imino) methyl) phenol ([IV(L)] complex) on the HepG2 cell line and also L929 cells, as normal cells. HepG2 and L929 cells were cultured in RPMI culture medium and the survival rates of the cells were determined after 24 and 48 h using MTT assay to find IC50 concentration of vanadium m, [IV(L)] complex. The early apoptosis and necrosis/late apoptosis were determined by means of annexin V/PI apoptosis detection kit. The results revealed that vanadium m, [IV(L)] complex induce early apoptosis higher in HepG2 cell line than L929 cells. The rates of necrosis/late apoptosis were also induced in HepG2 cells more than L929 cells. Based on the results, vanadium m, [IV(L)] complex might be considered as a safe new drug for treatment of HCC with low side effects on control liver cells.

Nisin Induces Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in Human Asterocytoma Cell Line (SW1088)

Background: Nisin is a member of the group of anti-microbial peptides which are considered as bacteriocins, but it possesses a vast range of activities. Astrocytoma is among the most prevalent types of brain tumor globally. Considering all facts about this peptide, the aim of the present study was the evaluation of any impact of nisin on proliferation and apoptosis of an astrocytoma cell line (SW1088). Methods: The SW1088 cell line was purchased from the Pasteur Institute of Iran and treated with various concentrations of Nisin. Nisin-induced cell toxicity and apoptosis were detected by both MTT assay and annexin V-FITC /propidium iodide (PI) staining. Result: In current study we observed that the cell death and apoptosis were significantly increased following nisin treatment, as compared to the control group. Conclusion: These results open a new window for establishment promising approaches with the concept of anti-cancer therapy by nisin in the future.