Cytotoxic, DNA binding, DNA cleavage and antibacterial studies of ruthenium–fluoroquinolone complexes

Nuclease-like metalloscissors: Biomimetic candidates for cancer and bacterial and viral infections therapy

Despite the extensive and rapid discovery of modern drugs for treatment of cancer, microbial infections, and viral illnesses; these diseases are still among major global health concerns. To take inspiration from natural nucleases and also the therapeutic potential of metallopeptide antibiotics such as the bleomycin family, artificial metallonucleases with the ability of promoting DNA/RNA cleavage and eventually affecting cellular biological processes can be introduced as a new class of therapeutic candidates. Metal complexes can be considered as one of the main categories of artificial metalloscissors, which can prompt nucleic acid strand scission. Accordingly, biologists, inorganic chemists, and medicinal inorganic chemists worldwide have been designing, synthesizing and evaluating the biological properties of metal complexes as artificial metalloscissors. In this review, we try to highlight the recent studies conducted on the nuclease-like metalloscissors and their potential therapeutic applications. Under the light of the concurrent Covid-19 pandemic, the human need for new therapeutics was highlighted much more than ever before. The nuclease-like metalloscissors with the potential of RNA cleavage of invading viral pathogens hence deserve prime attention.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal, antimicrobial and electrochemical characterization of some novel Ru(iii), Pt(iv) and Ir(iii) complexes of pipemidic acid

Three new solid complexes of pipemidic acid (Pip-H) with Ru3+, Pt4+ and Ir3+ were synthesized and characterized. Pipemidic acid acts as a uni-dentate chelator through the nitrogen atom of the -NH piperazyl ring. The spectroscopic data revealed that the general formulas of Pip-H complexes are [M(L) n (Cl) x ]·yH2O ((1) M = Ru3+, L: Pip-H, n = 3, x = 3, y = 6; (2) M = Pt4+, L: Pip-NH4, n = 2, x = 4, y = 0 and (3) M = Ir3+, L: Pip-H, n = 3, x = 3, y = 6). The number of water molecules with their locations inside or outside the coordination sphere were assigned via thermal analyses (TG, DTG). The DTG curves refer to 2-3 thermal decomposition steps where the first decomposition step at a lower temperature corresponds to the loss of uncoordinated water molecules followed by the decomposition of Pip-H molecules at higher temperatures. Thermodynamic parameters (E*, ΔS*, ΔH* and ΔG*) were calculated from the TG curves using Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzeger non-isothermal models. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were carefully used to assign properly the particle sizes of the prepared Pip-H complexes. The biological enhancement of Pip-H complexes rather than free chelate were assessed in vitro against four kinds of bacteria G(+) (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus) and G(-) (Klebsiella and Escherichia coli) as well as against the human breast cancer (MCF-7) tumor cell line.

Paulo T, de França Lopes LG, Sousa EHS. A biphosphinic ruthenium complex with potent anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity

Photorelease of CO and moderate binding to DNA did not seem to be essential features for potent biological activities.

Solvent assisted formation of ruthenium(III) and ruthenium(II) hydrazone complexes in one-pot with potential in vitro cytotoxicity and enhanced LDH, NO and ROS release

A set each of new bivalent and trivalent ruthenium complexes, [Ru(III)(HL)Cl2(EPh3)2] and [Ru(II)(L)(CO)(EPh3)2] (E = P (complexes and ) or As (complexes and )) were synthesised from the reactions of [Ru(III)Cl3(EPh3)3] with 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde benzoic acid hydrazone (H2L) in methanol-chloroform and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral data and XRD study. A suitable mechanism to account for the formation of bivalent ruthenium carbonyl complexes from the corresponding trivalent precursors is provided by considering the role of added base in the reaction. Interaction of complexes with CT-DNA/bovine serum albumin was analysed with absorption and emission spectral titration studies. In vitro cytotoxic potential of the above ruthenium hydrazone complexes assayed against the A549 cell line revealed a significant growth inhibition. The test complexes added in IC50 concentration into the cell culture medium enhanced the release of lactate dehydrogenase, NO and reactive oxygen species in comparison with the control. Cell death induced by the complexes was studied using a propidium iodide staining assay and showed noticeable changes in the cell morphology which resembled apoptosis.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazoline nucleus based homoleptic Ru(iii) compounds

Biological applications of homoleptic Ru(iii) compounds towards molecular docking, DNA-binding and DNA cleavage.

Biological assessment of substituted quinoline based heteroleptic organometallic compounds

Spectral changes accompanying addition of HS DNA to solution of quinoline nucleus based piano stool coordination compounds indicate intercalative mode of binding of the compound between DNA base pairs.

Synthesis of 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoline derivatives and their applications

The biological activities of pyrazoline based Ru(iii) complexes were carried out using gel electrophoresis, absorption titration, cellular level cytotoxicity and molecular docking study. Compounds exhibit potent nuclease and cytotoxicity activity.