Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of new pyrazolate-bridged dinuclear complexes of the type [Pd(μ-L)(N 3 )(PPh 3 )] 2 (PPh 3 = triphenylphosphine; L = pyrazolates)

Recent advances in drug discovery against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Metal-based complexes

Metal-based drugs are privileged motifs that act as primary pharmacophores in bioactive compounds for various diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). This potentially life-threatening and extremely contagious infectious disease is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In 2018, TB infected about 10 million people and caused 1.2 million deaths worldwide. A large number of ligands are promising scaffolds in drug design, including heterocyclic, phosphines, schiff bases, thio and semicarbazones, aliphatic amines, cyclopalladated, cyanometallates and miscellaneous. Moreover, several metal-based complexes have been studied for the treatment of numerous illnesses, including infectious diseases. To contribute to drug design, we identified the metal-based organometallic complexes against Mtb. Thus, in this review article, we analysed the recent contributions of metal-based scaffolds for design of new anti-Mtb drugs in the last decade (2011-2020). Besides, metal-based approaches will be presented in order to find out new antitubercular agents.

Computational studies, design and synthesis of Pd(II)-based complexes: Allosteric inhibitors of the Human Topoisomerase-IIα

Herein, a robust docking protocol was developed by using a low-cost workflow to highlight the modulation at ATPase domain from Human Topoisomerase-IIα (TOP2A) towards four novel Pd(II)-complexes bearing N,S-donor ligands. In vitro TOP2A inhibition assay confirmed the ability of them to prevent the enzyme functions into concentration ranging at 6.25-25μM. These results exhibited more effectivity than anticancer agent etoposide (35μM) and merbarone (40-50μM). The compounds were screened via Resazurin assay against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 (Human breast), DU-145 (Human prostate), A549 (Human lung) and Cal27 (Human tongue) tumor cell lines revealing great cytotoxic effects, primarily to MCF-7 (IC₅₀=1.81-4.46μM). As well, 1-4 exhibited their selectivity index (SI) higher than cisplatin against HEK-293 (human kidney) normal cells, at least 11.6-fold (SI_1-4=1.4-5.0; SI_cis=0.12). Further, Red Blood Cell hemolytic test suggested in vitro non-toxic character for compound 4, previously evaluated as the most effective TOP2A inhibitor.