Study on electrochemical behavior and in vitro anticancer effect of Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes containing pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate

Unveiling the promising anticancer effect of copper-based compounds: a comprehensive review

Copper is a necessary micronutrient for maintaining the well-being of the human body. The biological activity of organic ligands, especially their anticancer activity, is often enhanced when they coordinate with copper(I) and (II) ions. Copper and its compounds are capable of inducing tumor cell death through various mechanisms of action, including activation of apoptosis signaling pathways by reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of angiogenesis, induction of cuproptosis, and paraptosis. Some of the copper complexes are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for their ability to map tumor hypoxia in various cancers, including locally advanced rectal cancer and bulky tumors. Several studies have shown that copper nanoparticles can be used as effective agents in chemodynamic therapy, phototherapy, hyperthermia, and immunotherapy. Despite the promising anticancer activity of copper-based compounds, their use in clinical trials is subject to certain limitations. Elevated copper concentrations may promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis by affecting cellular processes.

Effect of the extra-nuclear cation on the cytotoxicity and mechanism of action of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate Ga(III) complexes

Two Ga(III) complexes (C1) and (C2) were prepared by the one-pot reaction of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and aminopyridine derivatives with gallium(III) nitrate octahydrate. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The distorted octahedral geometry was confirmed by crystallographic data for both complexes. The study of the in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds showed that the presence of different extra-nuclear cations can affect the cytotoxicity of the same anionic complexes. The most significant antiproliferative activity was observed for C1 (IC50 = 0.69 μM, MAE = 73.96%) and C2 (IC50 = 3.78 μM, MAE = 60.35%) (where MAE represents the maximal antiproliferative effect) against A431 cell line. The mechanistic study evidenced the same pathway for the death of A431 cells treated with the complexes, although the results for C2 were obtained at approximately five times the concentration of C1. According to the study, both complexes induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase in A431 cells by upregulating the levels of p21, p27, p-cdc25C, and p-cdc2 and downregulating the levels of cdc25C, cdc2, and cyclin B1. In addition, apoptosis via a caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway was confirmed by a decrease in Bcl-2 family proteins and an increase in the expression of procaspase-9 and 3. Also, the complexes induced autophagic cell death by activating the RAGE /PI3KC3/Beclin 1 pathway in A431 cells. DATA AVAILABILITY: CCDC 874052 and 874055 contain the supplementary crystallographic data for C1 and C2, respectively. These data can be obtained free of charge via http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structures?pid=ccdc:874052,874055&sid=CCDCManual, or from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, UK; fax: (+44) 1223-336-033; or e-mail: deposit@ccdc.cam.ac.uk.

Cytotoxicity and mechanism of action of metal complexes: An overview

After the discovery of cisplatin, many metal compounds were investigated for the therapy of diseases, especially cancer. The high therapeutic potential of metal-based compounds is related to the special properties of these compounds, such as their redox activity and ability to target vital biological sites. The overproduction of ROS and the consequent destruction of the membrane potential of mitochondria and/or the DNA helix is one of the known pathways leading to the induction of apoptosis by metal complexes. The apoptosis process can occur via the death receptor pathway and/or the mitochondrial pathway. The expression of Bcl2 proteins and the caspase family play critical roles in these pathways. In addition to apoptosis, autophagy is another process that regulates the suppression or promotion of various cancers through a dual action. On the other hand, the ability to interact with DNA is an important property found in several metal complexes with potent antiproliferative effects against cancer cells. These interactions were classified into two important categories: covalent/coordinated or subtle, and non-coordinated interactions. The anticancer activity of metal complexes is sometimes achieved by the simultaneous combination of several mechanisms. In this review, the anticancer effect of metal complexes is mechanistically discussed by different pathways, and some effective agents on their antiproliferative properties are explained.

An asymmetric mononuclear cobalt(II) compound derived from 3-bromo-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid involving in-situ hydrothermal decarboxylation: structure, magnetic property and Hirshfeld surface analysis

A new cobalt(II) compound with the formula [Co(5-Br-pyc)(2,2′-bipy)(H2O)(Cl)]·2H2O (1·H2O) (5-Br-Hpyc = 5-bromo-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) has been hydrothermally synthesized and well characterized. The X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis showed that 1⋅2H2O has crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c (no. 14). The Co(II) center was octahedrally bonded by one bidentate chelate 5-Br-pyc anion and one 2,2′-bipy, one water molecule as well as one chloride anion to form the mononuclear structure of 1⋅2H2O. Complex 1⋅2H2O forms a 3D network through abundant O–H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions. Notably, the 5-Br-Hpyc ligand was in situ generated by decarboxylation of the 3-bromo-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (3-Br-H2pydc) precursor selectively on 2-position under hydrothermal conditions. The magnetic properties, the Hirshfeld surface structure and the synthetic process for 1⋅2H2O have been carefully described and discussed.