Synthesis, antimicrobial activity and toxicity to nematodes of cyclam derivatives

Disclosing the Antifungal Mechanisms of the Cyclam Salt H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 against Candida albicans and Candida krusei

Mycoses are one of the major causes of morbidity/mortality among immunocompromised individuals. Considering the importance of these infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined a priority list of fungi for health in 2022 that include Candida albicans as belonging to the critical priority group and Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei) to the medium priority group. The existence of few available antifungal drugs, their high toxicity, the acquired fungal resistance, and the appearance of new species with a broader spectrum of resistance, points out the need for searching for new antifungals, preferably with new and multiple mechanisms of action. The cyclam salt H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 was previously tested against several fungi and revealed an interesting activity, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 8 µg/mL for C. krusei and of 128 µg/mL for C. albicans. The main objective of the present work was to deeply understand the mechanisms involved in its antifungal activity. The effects of the cyclam salt on yeast metabolic viability (resazurin reduction assay), yeast mitochondrial function (JC-1 probe), production of reactive oxygen species (DCFH-DA probe) and on intracellular ATP levels (luciferin/luciferase assay) were evaluated. H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 induced a significant decrease in the metabolic activity of both C. albicans and C. krusei, an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, and an impaired mitochondrial function. The latter was observed by the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and decrease in ATP intracellular levels, mechanisms that seems to be involved in the antifungal activity of H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4. The interference of the cyclam salt with human cells revealed a CC50 value against HEK-293 embryonic kidney cells of 1.1 μg/mL and a HC10 value against human red blood cells of 0.8 μg/mL.

Tuning the Biological Activity of Camphorimine Complexes through Metal Selection

The cytotoxic activity of four sets of camphorimine complexes based on the Cu(I), Cu(II), Ag(I), and Au(I) metal sites were assessed against the cisplatin-sensitive A2780 and OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells. The results showed that the gold complexes were ca. one order of magnitude more active than the silver complexes, which in turn were ca. one order of magnitude more active than the copper complexes. An important finding was that the cytotoxic activity of the Ag(I) and Au(I) camphorimine complexes was higher than that of cisplatin. Another relevant aspect was that the camphorimine complexes did not interact significantly with DNA, in contrast with cisplatin. The cytotoxic activity of the camphorimine complexes displayed a direct relationship with the cellular uptake by OVCAR3 cells, as ascertained by PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission). The levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation exhibited an inverse relationship with the reduction potentials for the complexes with the same metal, as assessed by cyclic voltammetry. In order to gain insight into the toxicity of the complexes, their cytotoxicity toward nontumoral cells (HDF and V79 fibroblasts) was evaluated. The in vivo cytotoxicity of complex 5 using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was also assessed. The silver camphorimine complexes displayed the highest selectivity coefficients (activity vs. toxicity).

Silva E, Cerqueira F, Pinto E, Alves LG. Cyclam-based iron(iii) and copper(ii) complexes: synthesis, characterization and application as antifungal agents

Cyclam-based complexes of formulae [{H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam}FeCl2]Cl and [{H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam}Cu](CH3COO)2·2H2O reveal antifungal activity against diverse unicellular and multicellular fungal species.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Cyclam-Based Zr(IV) Alkoxido Derivatives

In this study, new mono- and di-alkoxido zirconium(IV) complexes supported by tetradentate dianionic cyclam ligands were synthesized and characterized. These compounds were obtained by reaction of the parent Zr(IV) dichlorido species with one or two equivalents of the corresponding lithium alkoxido, whereas (3,5-Me2Bn2Cyclam)Zr(OPh)2 was prepared by protonolysis of the orthometallated species (3,5-Me-C6H4CH2)2Cyclam)Zr with phenol. The solid-state molecular structures of (Bn2Cyclam)ZrCl(OtBu) and (4-tBuBn2Cyclam)Zr(OiPr)2 show a trigonal prismatic geometry around the metal centers. (Bn2Cyclam)Zr(SPh)(OtBu) and (Bn2Cyclam)ZrMe(OiPr) were prepared by reaction of (Bn2Cyclam)ZrCl(OR) (R = iPr, tBu) with one equivalent of LiSPh or MeMgCl, respectively. The reactions of (Bn2Cyclam)Zr(OiPr)2 and (4-tBuBn2Cyclam)Zr(OiPr)2 with carbon dioxide suggested the formation of species that correspond to the addition of four CO2 molecules.

Bacterial Nosocomial Infections: Multidrug Resistance as a Trigger for the Development of Novel Antimicrobials

Nosocomial bacterial infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality, posing a huge burden to healthcare systems worldwide. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the raised hospitalization of patients and the increased use of antimicrobial agents, boosted the emergence of difficult-to-treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in hospital settings. Therefore, current available antibiotic treatments often have limited or no efficacy against nosocomial bacterial infections, and novel therapeutic approaches need to be considered. In this review, we analyze current antibacterial alternatives under investigation, focusing on metal-based complexes, antimicrobial peptides, and antisense antimicrobial therapeutics. The association of new compounds with older, commercially available antibiotics and the repurposing of existing drugs are also revised in this work.

Crystal structure of di-aqua-(3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosa-ne)copper(II) (3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo[16.4.0.07,12]docosa-ne)copper(II) tetra-bromide dihydrate, [Cu(C22H44N4)(H2O)2][Cu(C22H44N4)]Br4·2H2O

The crystal structure of the new double CuII complex salt, [Cu(L)(H2O)2][Cu(L)]Br4·2H2O (L = 3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosane, C22H44N4) has been determined using synchrotron radiation. The asymmetric unit contains one half of a [Cu(L)(H2O)2]2+ cation, one half of a [Cu(L)]2+ cation (both completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry), two bromide anions and one water solvent mol-ecule. The CuII atom in the first complex exists in a tetra-gonally distorted octa-hedral environment with the four N atoms of the macrocyclic ligand in equatorial and two aqua ligands in axial positions, whereas the CuII atom in the second complex exists in a square-planar environment defined by the four nitro-gen atoms of the macrocyclic ligand. The two macrocyclic rings adopt the most stable trans-III configuration with normal Cu-N bond lengths from 2.016 (3) to 2.055 (3) Å and an axial Cu-O bond length of 2.658 (4) Å. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the macrocycle N-H or C-H groups and the O-H groups of water mol-ecules as donor groups, and the O atoms of water mol-ecules and bromide anions as acceptor groups, giving rise to a one-dimensional network extending parallel to [100].

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Resistant Modulatory Activity of 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone Derivatives as Agents against Some ESKAPE Human Pathogens

A library of six novel phenylhydrazones were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial and resistance modulating activity against a panel of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal species. The compounds were produced in good yields of 60–92% w/w and characterized using melting point, UV-visible spectroscopy, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, and DEPT-Q) techniques. Mass spectroscopy was used to confirm the identity of one of the most active compounds, 5 [SA5]. The phenylhydrazones showed activity against all the six selected microorganisms with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the most active compounds, 1 [BP1] and 5 [SA5], at 138 µM (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 165 µM (Streptococcus pneumoniae), respectively. Compound 1 [BP1] further demonstrated a high resistance modulatory activity at 1.078 µM against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Investigations into the Structure/Antibacterial Activity Relationships of Cyclam and Cyclen Derivatives

A series of cyclam- and cyclen-derived salts are described in the present work; they were designed specifically to gain insights into their structure and antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, used respectively, as Gram-positive and Gram-negative model organisms. The newly synthesized compounds are monosubstituted and trans-disubstituted tetraazamacrocycles that display benzyl, methylbenzyl, trifluoromethylbenzyl, or trifluoroethylbenzyl substituents appended on the nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic ring. The results obtained show that the chemical nature, polarity, and substitution patterns of the benzyl groups, as well as the number of pendant arms, are critical parameters for the antibacterial activity of the cyclam-based salts. The most active compounds against both bacterial strains were the trans-disubstituted cyclam salts displaying CF₃ groups in the para-position of the aromatic rings of the macrocyclic pendant arms. The analogous cyclen species presents a lower activity, revealing that the size of the macrocyclic backbone is an important requirement for the antibacterial activity of the tetraazamacrocycles. The nature of the anionic counterparts present on the salts was found to play a minor role in the antibacterial activity.

New Cyclams and Their Copper(II) and Iron(III) Complexes: Synthesis and Potential Application as Anticancer Agents

New cyclam derivatives (HOCH₂ CH₂ CH₂ )₂ (PhCH₂ )₂ Cyclam and (HOCH₂ CH₂ CH₂ )₂ ( 4 - CF 3 PhCH₂ )₂ Cyclam, as well as their Cu^II and Fe^III complexes, were synthesized and characterized and their stability in cellular media was assessed. The cytotoxic effect of all compounds was examined on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, revealing strong anticancer activity. After 24 h, only complexes with the (HOCH₂ CH₂ CH₂ )₂ ( 4 - CF 3 PhCH₂ )₂ Cyclam ligand are cytotoxic, whereas after incubation for 72 h all compounds show significant antiproliferative effects. Notably, compounds containing 4 - CF 3 PhCH₂ pendant arms on the cyclam ring revealed the most activity, with cytotoxicity values up to 12 times higher than those of cisplatin. All metal complexes seem to induce cell death through the formation of reactive oxygen species.