DFT study of [Pt(Cl)2L] complex (L = rubeanic acid) and its derived compounds with DNA purine bases

Theoretical investigation of structure and electronic properties in Cisplatin-citrate complexes

Cisplatin (CDDP) is an effective Platinum (Pt) based anticancer drug used in chemotherapy. However, its effectiveness is limited due to its instability in solvents, along with the side effects it causes due to DNA damage. Nanoparticles (NPs) were developed in vitro to address these issues by loading CDDP into various types of NPs, including metal, lipid, and biological NPs. Citrate was employed as a biocompatible compound in nanomedicine to reduce cytotoxicity and enhance stability. In our study, the physicochemical and electronic properties of CDDP and citrate have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT), with a comparison of their behavior in water and DMSO. Additionally, TD-DFT was applied to analyze the UV-Vis spectra results. Six complexes have been proposed to better understand the interaction between citrate and CDDP. The results demonstrated that the CDDP could form stable complexes with citrate in both water and DMSO, and the considered complexes exhibited UV-Vis spectra within the experiment range. The frontier orbitals, electron densities mapping, and electrostatic potential analysis revealed that complex 5, where citrate di-substituted on two chlorides, is the most likely and effective complex. In summary, our investigation sheds light on the potential of CDDP-citrate complexes to address the limitations of CDDP, offering insights into their stability and interaction in solvents and highlighting the promising efficacy of specific complex formations for future therapeutic applications.

Targeted Therapy with Cisplatin-Loaded Calcium Citrate Nanoparticles Conjugated with Epidermal Growth Factor for Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with high incidence rates for new cases. Conventional cisplatin (CDDP) therapy has limitations due to severe side effects from nonspecific targeting. To address this challenge, nanomedicine offers targeted therapies. In this study, cisplatin-loaded calcium citrate nanoparticles conjugated with epidermal growth factor (CaCit@CDDP-EGF NPs) were synthesized. The resulting nanodrug had a size below 350 nm with a cation charge. Based on density functional theory (DFT), the CaCit@CDDP NP model containing two citrates substituted on two chlorides exhibited a favorable binding energy of -5.42 eV, and the calculated spectrum at 261 nm closely matched the experimental data. CaCit@CDDP-EGF NPs showed higher inhibition rates against EGFR-expressed and mutant carcinoma cells compared to those of cisplatin while displaying lower cytotoxicity to lung fibroblast cells. Integrating in vitro experiments with in silico studies, these nanoparticles hold promise as a novel nanomedicine for targeted therapy in clinical applications.

Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

The use of tailored medication delivery in cancer treatment has the potential to increase efficacy while decreasing unfavourable side effects. For researchers looking to improve clinical outcomes, chemotherapy for cancer continues to be the most challenging topic. Cancer is one of the worst illnesses despite the limits of current cancer therapies. New anticancer medications are therefore required to treat cancer. Nanotechnology has revolutionized medical research with new and improved materials for biomedical applications, with a particular focus on therapy and diagnostics. In cancer research, the application of metal nanoparticles as substitute chemotherapy drugs is growing. Metals exhibit inherent or surface-induced anticancer properties, making metallic nanoparticles extremely useful. The development of metal nanoparticles is proceeding rapidly and in many directions, offering alternative therapeutic strategies and improving outcomes for many cancer treatments. This review aimed to present the most commonly used nanoparticles for cancer applications.

Substitution Effects on the Optoelectronic Properties of Coumarin Derivatives

Coumarin derivatives have gathered major attention largely due to their versatile utility in a wide range of applications. In this framework, we report a comparative computational investigation on the optoelectronic properties of 3-phenylcoumarin and 3-heteroarylcoumarin derivatives established as enzyme inhibitors. Specifically, we concentrate on the variation in the optoelectronic characteristics for the hydroxyl group substitutions within the coumarin moiety. In order to realize our aims, all-electron density functional theory and time dependent density functional theory calculations were performed with a localized Gaussian basis-set matched with a hybrid exchange–correlation functionals. Molecular properties such as highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies, vertical ionization (IEV) and electron affinity energies, absorption spectra, quasi-particle gap, and exciton binding energy values are examined. Furthermore, the influence of solvent on the optical properties of the molecules is considered. We found a good agreement between the experimental (8.72 eV) and calculated (8.71 eV) IEV energy values for coumarin. The computed exciton binding energy of the investigated molecules indicated their potential optoelectronics application.