Antibacterial, in vitro antitumor activity and structural studies of rhodium and iridium complexes featuring the two positional isomers of pyridine carbaldehyde picolinic hydrazone ligand

Synthesis, characterization, DFT calculations and biological activity of new Schiff base complexes

Schiff bases ligand (HL) was produced by condensing 4-aminobenzohydrazide with N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-formylphenoxy)acetamide. Cobalt (II), nickel (II), and copper (II) acetate and ligand are reacted to form 1:1 complexes. By using electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, infrared data from 1H NMR, and XRD studies, the ligand and its metal complexes have been characterized. According to the spectrum data, the ligand functions as a monobasic bidentate, coordinating with the nitrogen atom of azomethine (-C[bond, double bond]N-) group and the oxygen atom of carbonyl group in enol form. An octahedral structure has been proposed for Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes according to magnetic and electronic spectrum analysis. Using the DFT method, the computational investigations of the ligand and its metal complexes showed the bond lengths, bond angles, and quantum chemical parameters. To determine the thermal stability and mode of thermal degradation of hydrazone ligand and its complexes, thermogravimetric analysis was approved out on the samples. Two calculated method, Horowitz-Metzger and Coats-Redfern, were used to calculate the characteristics of the composites' thermal degradation mechanisms at each step, including their breakdown kinetics. The ligand and its complexes were investigated for their cytotoxicity in vitro compared to human amnion (WISH) and epitheliod carcinoma (Hela). The Ni(II) complex showed highly inhibition against (WISH) growth (IC50 = 18.28±1.8 μM) with relationship to the produced chemicals and other common medications. The interaction between the ligand and its complexes with the genetic tumor (3hb5) receptor was examined using docking experiments.

Exploration of Molecular Structure, DFT Calculations, and Antioxidant Activity of a Hydrazone Derivative

The hydrazine derivatives are known to possess several biological activities including anticancer, antibacterial and anti-fungal, anticonvulsant, and antioxidant. This communication presents the synthesis, X-ray crystal structure analysis, DFT calculations, cell cytotoxicity, and antioxidant activity of the Schiff base 4,4'-((1E,1'E)-hydrazine-1,2-diylidenebis(ethan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(benzene-1,3-diol) (compound 2). We have also isolated the side product compound 1 and characterized it using single X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure of compound 1 depicts that the ensuing C-H···N hydrogen bonding interaction is presented and discussed herein. In addition, the calculations using density functional theory (DFT) approximation supported by experimental 1H and 13C NMR studies on the key compound 2 are reported. The results of theoretical and experimental 1H and 13C NMR were concordant. The antioxidant activity of compound 2 was determined by using 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) radical cation assays and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay. Compound 2 demonstrated excellent antioxidant activity in ABTS assay (IC50 = 4.30 ± 0.21 µM) and DPPH assay (IC50 = 81.06 ± 0.72 µM) with almost no cytotoxicity below 25 µM.

Single-Site Iridium Picolinamide Catalyst Immobilized onto Silica for the Hydrogenation of CO2 and the Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid

The development of an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for storing H₂ into CO₂ and releasing it from the produced formic acid, when needed, is a crucial target for overcoming some intrinsic criticalities of green hydrogen exploitation, such as high flammability, low density, and handling. Herein, we report an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for both reactions prepared by immobilizing a molecular iridium organometallic catalyst onto a high-surface mesoporous silica, through a sol–gel methodology. The presence of tailored single-metal catalytic sites, derived by a suitable choice of ligands with desired steric and electronic characteristics, in combination with optimized support features, makes the immobilized catalyst highly active. Furthermore, the information derived from multinuclear DNP-enhanced NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and Ir L₃-edge XAS indicates the formation of cationic iridium sites. It is quite remarkable to note that the immobilized catalyst shows essentially the same catalytic activity as its molecular analogue in the hydrogenation of CO₂. In the reverse reaction of HCOOH dehydrogenation, it is approximately twice less active but has no induction period.

We report the synthesis of a heterogeneous immobilized catalyst (Ir_PicaSi_SiO₂) and its successful application in aqueous CO₂ hydrogenation and FA dehydrogenation. The information derived from multinuclear DNP-enhanced NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and XAS indicates the presence of cationic iridium sites in Ir_PicaSi_SiO₂. The latter shows essentially the same catalytic activity as its molecular analogue in the hydrogenation of CO₂. In the reverse reaction of HCOOH dehydrogenation, it is approximately twice less active but has no induction period.

New iridium bis-terpyridine complexes: synthesis, characterization, antibiofilm and anticancer potentials

This study represents synthesis, characterization, screening of antibiofilm efficacy, and cytotoxicity of iridium bis-terpyridine complexes. The complexes were characterized by NMR, MS, FTIR, UV/Visible, and fluorescence spectroscopies. The efficacy of biofilm inhibition and eradication of iridium complexes was evaluated using a crystal violet assay test and verified by fluorescence microscopy. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis analysis of iridium complexes were determined in this study. The results of our study revealed that three iridium complexes had the potential to inhibit biofilm formation and moderate the ability to destroy pre-formed biofilm of S. aureus ATCC 29,213. 250 µM concentration of synthesized complexes showed the highest antibiofilm activity (75% for Ir1, 90% for Ir2, and 71% for Ir3). The significant inhibition obtained at 6.25 µM concentration of Ir2 and Ir3 revealed the potential of our samples. Also, Ir1 and Ir2 complexes had a good capacity to destroy pre-formed biofilm. The results clearly showed that iridium complexes have cytotoxic activity towards colon cancer (Caco-2) and liver cancer (HepG2) cell lines without affecting non-cancerous cells (HEK293) at applied doses. Moreover, tested compounds induced apoptosis in these cancer cells. All of these results showed that iridium complexes had possessed the ability to inhibit or destroy pre-formed biofilm and could be developed as an effective agent against bacterial biofilms. Moreover, these pure substances may have valuable anti-cancer activity and it should be confirmed with further studies for therapeutic effects.

Anticancer Half-Sandwich Rhodium(III) Complexes

Platinum-based anticancer drugs are most likely the most successful group of bioinorganic compounds. Their apparent disadvantages have led to the development of anticancer compounds of other noble metals, resulting in several ruthenium-based drugs which have entered clinical trials on oncological patients. Besides ruthenium, numerous rhodium complexes have been recently reported as highly potent antiproliferative agents against various human cancer cells, making them potential alternatives to Pt- and Ru-based metallodrugs. In this review, half-sandwich Rh(III) complexes are overviewed. Many representatives show higher in vitro potency than and different mechanisms of action (MoA) from the conventional anticancer metallodrugs (cisplatin in most cases) or clinically studied Ru drug candidates. Furthermore, some of the reviewed Rh(III) arenyl complexes are also anticancer in vivo. Pioneer anticancer organorhodium compounds as well as the recent advances in the field are discussed properly, and adequate attention is paid to their anticancer activity, solution behaviour and various processes connected with their MoA. In summary, this work summarizes the types of compounds and the most important biological results obtained in the field of anticancer half-sandwich Rh complexes.

First dinuclear rhodium(II) complexes with triazolopyrimidines and the prospect of their potential biological use

Five novel rhodium(II) complexes of general formula [Rh₂(μ-OOCCH₃)₄L₂], where L is a triazolopyrimidine derivative, in particular dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dmtp) for (1), 5,7-diethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (detp) for (2), 7-isobutyl-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (ibmtp) for (3), 7-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (HmtpO) for (4) and 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dbtp) for (5) are reported. These first representatives of paddle-wheel dirhodium complexes with triazolopyrimidines have been characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Three of the new complexes (1), (2) and (5) were thoroughly screened in vitro for their cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and L929 murine fibroblast cells. Favorably, they show significantly less effective inhibition on the cell growth of L929 than cisplatin under identical conditions. Complexes (1) and (5) display moderate cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ = 16.3-21.5 μM) against MCF-7 cells which is induced via reactive oxygen species-independent pathways. Extensive studies of rhodium complexes (1), (2) and (5) against microorganisms have shown that the tested compounds exhibit antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) while (5) significantly inhibited the growth of Malassezia furfur. The highest antibacterial, and antifungal activity, was observed for (5).

Developments in Platinum-Group Metals as Dual Antibacterial and Anticancer Agents

Platinum-group (PG) complexes have been used as antibacterial and anticancer agents since the discovery of cisplatin. The science world still requires improvement on these complexes because of multidrug and antineoplastic resistances. This review observes discoverers and history of these platinum-group metals (PGMs), as well as their beneficial applications. The focus of this study was biological applications of PGMs in relation to human health. Sandwich and half-sandwich PGM coordination compounds and their metal nanoparticles give improved results for biological activities by enhancing efficient delivery of both antibacterial and anticancer drugs, as well as luminescent bioimaging (biomarkers) for biological identifications.

In silico design of hydrazone antioxidants and analysis of their free radical-scavenging mechanism by thermodynamic studies

Background

Antioxidants are very crucial in maintaining the normal function of body cells, as they scavenge excess free radical in the body. A set of hydrazone antioxidants was designed by in silico screening. The density functional theory (DFT) method was employed to explore the reaction energetics of their free radical-scavenging mechanism. With the aid of the developed quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model for hydrazone antioxidants, the structure and antioxidant activity of these compounds were predicted. Three potential reaction mechanisms were investigated, namely, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single-electron transfer followed by proton transfer (SET-PT) and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET). Bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), adiabatic ionization potential (AIP), proton dissociation enthalpy (PDE), proton affinity (PA), electron transfer enthalpy (ETE) and Gibbs free energy that characterize the various steps in these mechanisms were calculated in the gas phase.

Results

A total of 25 hydrazone antioxidants were designed, in which the molecule MHD 017 gave the best antioxidant activity. Among the tested molecules, MHD 017 at the 10-OH site gave the best results for the various thermodynamic parameters calculated. The reaction Gibbs free energy results also indicate that this is the most favoured site for free radical scavenge.

Conclusion

The obtained results show that HAT and SPLET mechanisms are the thermodynamically plausible reaction pathways of free radical scavenge by hydrazone antioxidants. The reactivity of these compounds towards the hydroperoxyl radical (HOO·) was greater than that towards the methyl peroxyl radical (CH3OO·) based on the exergonicity of the calculated reaction Gibbs free energy.

Graphical abstract