The influence of R substituents in triphenylphosphinegold(I) carbonimidothioates, Ph3PAu[SC(OR)=NPh] (R=Me, Et and iPr), upon in vitro cytotoxicity against the HT-29 colon cancer cell line and upon apoptotic pathways

Overview of the New Bioactive Heterocycles as Targeting Topoisomerase Inhibitors Useful Against Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer globally, with high mortality. Metastatic CRC is incurable in most cases, and multiple drug therapy can increase patients' life expectancy by 2 to 3 years. Efforts are being made to understand the relationship between topoisomerase enzymes and colorectal cancer. Some studies have shown that higher expression of these enzymes is correlated to a poor prognosis for this type of cancer. One of the primary drugs used in the treatment of CRC is Irinotecan, which can be used in monotherapy or, more commonly, in therapeutic schemes such as FOLFIRI (Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan) and CAPIRI (Capecitabine and Irinotecan). Like Camptothecin, Irinotecan and other compounds have a mechanism of action based on the formation of a ternary complex with topoisomerase I and DNA providing damage to it, therefore leading to cell death. Thus, this review focused on the principal works published in the last ten years that demonstrate a correlation between the inhibition of different isoforms of topoisomerase and in vitro cytotoxic activity against CRC by natural products, semisynthetic and synthetic compounds of pyridine, quinoline, acridine, imidazoles, indoles, and metal complexes. The results revealed that natural compounds, semisynthetic and synthetic derivatives showed potential in vitro cytotoxicity against several colon cancer cell lines, and this activity was often accompanied by the ability to inhibit both isoforms of topoisomerase (I and II), highlighting that these enzymes can be promising targets for the development of new chemotherapy against CRC. Pyridine analogs were considered the most promising for this study, while the evaluation of the real potential of natural products was limited by the lack of information in their work. Moreover, the complexes, although promising, presented as the main limitation the lack of selectivity.

10H-3,6-Diazaphenothiazines triggered the mitochondrial-dependent and cell death receptor-dependent apoptosis pathways and further increased the chemosensitivity of MCF-7 breast cancer cells via inhibition of AKT1 pathways

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in cancer categories, followed by lung, colorectal, and ovarian among the female gender across the world. 10H-3,6-diazaphenothiazine (PTZ) is a thiazine derivative compound that exhibits many pharmacological activities. Herein, we proceed to investigate the pharmacological activities of PTZ toward breast cancer MCF-7 cells as a representative in vitro breast cancer cell model. The PTZ exhibited a proliferation inhibition (IC50  = 0.895 µM) toward MCF-7 cells. Further, cell cycle analysis illustrated that the S-phase checkpoint was activated to achieve proliferation inhibition. In vitro cytotoxicity test on three normal cell lines (HEK293 normal kidney cells, MCF-10A normal breast cells, and H9C2 normal heart cells) demonstrated that PTZ was more potent toward cancer cells. Increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species results in polarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), together with suppression of mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase enzymatic activity suggested that PTZ induced oxidative damages toward mitochondria and contributed to improved drug efficacy toward treatment. The RT2 PCR Profiler Array (human apoptosis pathways) proved that PTZ induced cell death via mitochondria-dependent and cell death receptor-dependent pathways, through a series of modulation of caspases, and the respective morphology of apoptosis was observed. Mechanistic studies of apoptosis suggested that PTZ inhibited AKT1 pathways resulting in enhanced drug efficacy despite it preventing invasion of cancer cells. These results showed the effectiveness of PTZ in initiation of apoptosis, programmed cell death, toward highly chemoresistant MCF-7 cells, thus suggesting its potential as a chemotherapeutic drug.

Novel phosphine sulphide gold(i) complexes: topoisomerase I inhibitors and antiproliferative agents

Gold(i) increases the cytotoxicity of phosphine sulfide quinolines against cancer cell lines, while heterocycles maintain the TopI inhibitory activity.

Gold as a Possible Alternative to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Treatment

Due to the increasing incidence and high mortality associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Classic chemotherapy against CRC is based on oxaliplatin and other cisplatin analogues; however, platinum-based therapy lacks selectivity to cancer cells and leads to deleterious side effects. In addition, tumor resistance to oxaliplatin is related to chemotherapy failure. Gold(I) derivatives are a promising alternative to platinum complexes, since instead of interacting with DNA, they target proteins overexpressed on tumor cells, thus leading to less side effects than, but a comparable antitumor effect to, platinum derivatives. Moreover, given the huge potential of gold nanoparticles, the role of gold in CRC chemotherapy is not limited to gold(I) complexes. Gold nanoparticles have been found to be able to overcome multidrug resistance along with reduced side effects due to a more efficient uptake of classic drugs. Moreover, the use of gold nanoparticles has enhanced the effect of traditional therapies such as radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, or photodynamic therapy, and has displayed a potential role in diagnosis as a consequence of their optic properties. Herein, we have reviewed the most recent advances in the use of gold(I) derivatives and gold nanoparticles in CRC therapy.

Gold-Based Medicine: A Paradigm Shift in Anti-Cancer Therapy?

A new era of metal-based drugs started in the 1960s, heralded by the discovery of potent platinum-based complexes, commencing with cisplatin [(H₃N)₂PtCl₂], which are effective anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. While clinical applications of gold-based drugs largely relate to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, attention has turned to the investigation of the efficacy of gold(I) and gold(III) compounds for anti-cancer applications. This review article provides an account of the latest research conducted during the last decade or so on the development of gold compounds and their potential activities against several cancers as well as a summary of possible mechanisms of action/biological targets. The promising activities and increasing knowledge of gold-based drug metabolism ensures that continued efforts will be made to develop gold-based anti-cancer agents.

New monoclinic form of {O-Ethyl N-(4-nitro-phen-yl)thio-carbamato-κS}(tri-4-tolyl-phosphane-κP)gold(I): crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The title phosphanegold(I) thiol-ate compound, [Au(C9H9N2O3S)(C21H21P)], is a second monoclinic polymorph (space group P21/c) that complements a previously reported Cc polymorph [Broker & Tiekink (2008 ▸). Acta Cryst. E64, m1582]. An SP donor set defines an approximately linear geometry about the gold atom in both forms. The key distinguishing feature between the present structure and the previously reported polymorph rests with the relative disposition of the thiol-ate ligand. In the title compound, the orientation is such to place the oxygen atom in close contact with the gold atom [Au⋯O = 2.915 (2) Å], in contrast to the aryl ring in the original polymorph. In the crystal, linear supra-molecular chains along the a-axis direction mediated by C-H⋯π and nitro-O⋯π inter-actions are found. These pack with no directional inter-actions between them. The analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces for both forms of [Au(C9H9N3O3S)(C21H21P)] indicates quite distinctive inter-action profiles relating to the differences in inter-molecular contacts found in their respective crystals.

The effects of phosphanegold(I) thiolates on the biological properties of Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype

BACKGROUND

Gold compounds have shown promise in the treatment of non-communicable diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, and are considered of value as anti-microbial agents against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and have anti-parasitic properties against Schistosoma mansoni, Trypanosoma brucei, Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania infantinum, Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica. They are known to affect enzymatic activities that are required for the cellular respiration processes.

METHODS

Anti-amoebic effects of phosphanegold(I) thiolates were tested against clinical isolate of A. castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype by employing viability assays, growth inhibition assays, encystation assays, excystation assays, and zymographic assays.

RESULTS

The treatment of A. castellanii with the phosphanegold(I) thiolates tested (i) had no effect on the viability of A. castellanii as determined by Trypan blue exclusion test, (ii) did not affect amoebae growth using PYG growth medium, (iii) did not inhibit cellular differentiation, and (iv) had no effect on the extracellular proteolytic activities of A. castellanii.

CONCLUSION

Being free-living amoeba, A. castellanii is a versatile respirator and possesses respiratory mechanisms that adapt to various aerobic and anaerobic environments to avoid toxic threats and adverse conditions. For the first time, our findings showed that A. castellanii exhibits resistance to the toxic effects of gold compounds and could prove to be an attractive model to study mechanisms of metal resistance in eukaryotic cells.

A non-solvated form of [(Z)-O-methyl-N-(2-methyl-phen-yl)-thio-carbamato-κS](tri-phenyl-phosphane-κP)gold(I): crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The title compound, [Au(C9H10NOS)(C18H15P)], features a near linear P-Au-S arrangement defined by phosphane P and thiol-ate S atoms with the minor distortion from the ideal [P-Au-S is 177.61 (2)°] being traced in part to the close intra-molecular approach of an O atom [Au⋯O = 3.040 (2) Å]. The packing features supra-molecular layers lying parallel to (011) sustained by a combination of C-H⋯π and π-π [inter-centroid distance = 3.8033 (17) Å] inter-actions. The mol-ecular structure and packing are compared with those determined for a previously reported hemi-methanol solvate [Kuan et al. (2008 ▸). CrystEngComm, 10, 548-564]. Relatively minor differences are noted in the conformations of the rings in the Au-containing mol-ecules. A Hirshfeld surface analysis confirms the similarity in the packing with the most notable differences relating to the formation of C-H⋯S contacts between the constituents of the solvate.

A conformational polymorph of Ph3PAu[SC(OEt)=NPh] featuring an intramolecular Au···π interaction

A conformational polymorph, form β, for Ph3PAu[SC(OEt)=NPh] has been characterised. Like the original structure (form α), the molecule features a linear P–Au–S geometry. The difference between molecular structures rests with the relative disposition of the thiolate ligand which places the N-bound aryl ring in close proximity to the gold centre (form β) rather than the oxygen atom (form α). Density functional theory calculations show the molecule with the Au···π interaction is more stable by 5.2 kcal/mol than the one with the Au···O contact. The molecular packing of both forms are stabilised by C–H···O and C–H···π interactions which make approximately the same contribution to the overall Hirshfeld surfaces. However, key indicators, e.g. crystal packing efficiency and density, and the computational results suggest form β is the thermodynamically favoured form.

A monoclinic polymorph of [(Z)-N-(3-chloro-phen-yl)-O-methyl-thio-carbamato-κS](tri-phenyl-phosphane-κP)gold(I): crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The title compound, [Au(C8H7ClNOS)(C18H15P)], is a monoclinic (P21/n, Z' = 1; form β) polymorph of the previously reported triclinic form (P-1, Z' = 1; form α) [Tadbuppa & Tiekink (2010 ▸). Acta Cryst. E66, m664]. The mol-ecular structures of both forms feature an almost linear gold(I) coordination geometry [P-Au-S = 175.62 (5)° in the title polymorph], being coordinated by thiol-ate S and phosphane P atoms, a Z conformation about the C=N bond and an intra-molecular Au⋯O contact. The major conformational difference relates to the relative orientations of the residues about the Au-S bond: the P-Au-S-C torsion angles are -8.4 (7) and 106.2 (7)° in forms α and β, respectively. The mol-ecular packing of form β features centrosymmetric aggregates sustained by aryl-C-H⋯O inter-actions, which are connected into a three-dimensional network by aryl-C-H⋯π contacts. The Hirshfeld analysis of forms α and β shows many similarities with the notable exception of the influence of C-H⋯O inter-actions in form β.

Crystal structures of 5-amino-N-phenyl-3H-1,2,4-di-thia-zol-3-iminium chloride and 5-amino-N-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-3H-1,2,4-di-thia-zol-3-iminium chloride monohydrate

The crystal and mol-ecular structures of the title salt, C8H8N3S2 (+)·Cl(-), (I), and salt hydrate, C8H7ClN3S2 (+)·Cl(-)·H2O, (II), are described. The heterocyclic ring in (I) is statistically planar and forms a dihedral angle of 9.05 (12)° with the pendant phenyl ring. The comparable angle in (II) is 15.60 (12)°, indicating a greater twist in this cation. An evaluation of the bond lengths in the H2N-C-N-C-N sequence of each cation indicates significant delocalization of π-electron density over these atoms. The common feature of the crystal packing in (I) and (II) is the formation of charge-assisted amino-N-H⋯Cl(-) hydrogen bonds, leading to helical chains in (I) and zigzag chains in (II). In (I), these are linked by chains mediated by charge-assisted iminium-N(+)-H⋯Cl(-) hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional architecture. In (II), the chains are linked into a layer by charge-assisted water-O-H⋯Cl(-) and water-O-H⋯O(water) hydrogen bonds with charge-assisted iminium-N(+)-H⋯O(water) hydrogen bonds providing the connections between the layers to generate the three-dimensional packing. In (II), the chloride anion and water mol-ecules are resolved into two proximate sites with the major component being present with a site occupancy factor of 0.9327 (18).

Crystal structure of 1-(4-methyl-phen-yl)-3-(propan-2-yl-idene-amino)-thio-urea

In the title thio-semicarbazone, C11H15N3S, the p-tolyl-N-H and imino-N-H groups are anti and syn, respectively, to the central thione-S atom. This allows for the formation of an intra-molecular p-tolyl-N-H⋯N(imino) hydrogen bond. The mol-ecule is twisted with the dihedral angle between the p-tolyl ring and the non-hydrogen atoms of the N=CMe2 residue being 29.27 (8)°. The crystal packing features supra-molecular layers lying in the bc plane whereby centrosymmetric aggregates sustained by eight-membered thio-amide {⋯HNCS}2 synthons are linked by further N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds. Layers are connected via methyl-C-H⋯π inter-actions. The supra-molecular aggregation was further investigated by an analysis of the Hirshfeld surface and comparison made to related structures.

Crystal structure of bis-[μ-bis-(di-phenyl-phosphanyl)methane-κ(2) P:P']digold(I) dichloride acetone monosolvate monohydrate

In the title complex salt, [Au2{(C6H5)2PCH2P(C6H5)2}]Cl2·(CH3)2C=O·H2O, the dication forms an eight-membered {-PCPAu}2 ring with a transannular aurophilic inter-action [Au⋯Au = 2.9743 (2) Å]. The ring approximates a flattened boat conformation, with the two methyl-ene C atoms lying ca 0.58-0.59 Å above the least-squares plane defined by the Au2P4 atoms (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0849 Å). One Cl(-) anion functions as a weak bridge between the Au(I) atoms [Au⋯Cl = 2.9492 (13) and 2.9776 (12) Å]. The second Cl(-) anion forms two (water)O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds about a centre of inversion, forming a centrosymmetric eight-membered {⋯HOH⋯Cl}2 supra-molecular square. Globally, the dications and loosely associated Cl(-) anions assemble into layers lying parallel to the ac plane, being connected by C-H⋯Cl,π(phen-yl) inter-actions. The supra-molecular squares and solvent acetone mol-ecules are sandwiched in the inter-layer region, being connected to the layers on either side by C-H⋯Cl,O(acetone) inter-actions.

Bipodal benzoylthiocarbamic acid esters: crystal and molecular structures of R = Et (a polymorph), and of a binuclear Cu(I) complex, R = iPr

The crystal and molecular structure of a second polymorph (P21/n) of [1,4-ROC(=S)N(H)C(=O)C6H4C(=O)N(H)C(=S)OR], R = Et, is shown to have inversion symmetry and to have a more twisted conformation than the previously reported P43212 form which has 2-fold symmetry. Despite utilising equivalent atoms in forming intermolecular interactions, very distinct crystal packing patterns are observed. Crystal characteristics and theory (DFT) are consistent with the P43212 form being more stable, a conclusion correlated with the observation that this form is the overwhelming majority of the sample (PXRD). An analysis of a binuclear copper(I) complex containing the R = iPr analogue, reveals the neutral ligand to bind via the thione-S atom resulting in a distorted ClP2S tetrahedral geometry.

The importance of Au⋯π(aryl) interactions in the formation of spherical aggregates in binuclear phosphane gold(i) complexes of a bipodal thiocarbamate dianion: a combined crystallographic and computational study, and anti-microbial activity

Compact molecular structures of antimicrobial (R₃PAu)₂L (R = Et (1), Ph ((2) and Cy ((3); LH₂ = {1,4-[MeOC(S)-N(H)]₂C₆H₄}), arise from intramolecular Au⋯π(aryl) interactions, proven by theory to be attractive and 12 kcal mol^–1 more stable than anticipated Au⋯O interactions.

Gold(i) thiotetrazolates as thioredoxin reductase inhibitors and antiproliferative agents

Gold(i) complexes with thiotetrazolate ligands are potent TrxR inhibitors with activity in drug resistant Nalm-6 cells.

Investigation of putative arene-C-H···π(quasi-chelate ring) interactions in copper(I) crystal structures

Evidence for C-H···π(CuCl···HNCS) interactions, i.e. C-H···π(quasi-chelate ring) where a six-membered quasi-chelate ring is closed by an N-H···Cl hydrogen bond, is presented based on crystal structure analyses of (Ph3P)2Cu[ROC(=S)N(H)Ph]Cl. Similar intramolecular interactions are identified in related literature structures. Calculations suggest that the energy of attraction provided by such interactions approximates 3.5 kcal mol(-1).

Phosphanegold(I) dithiocarbamates, R3PAu[SC(=S)N((i)Pr)CH2CH2OH] for R = Ph, Cy and Et: role of phosphane-bound R substituents upon in vitro cytotoxicity against MCF-7R breast cancer cells and cell death pathways

The synthesis and characterisation of R3PAu[S2CN((i)Pr)CH2CH2OH], for R = Ph (1), Cy (2) and Et (3)4, is reported. Compounds 1-3 are cytotoxic against the doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cell line, MCF-7R, with 1 exhibiting greater potency and cytotoxicity than either of doxorubicin and cisplatin. Based on human apoptosis PCR-array analysis, caspase activities, DNA fragmentation, cell apoptotic assays, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements and human topoisomerase I inhibition, induction of apoptosis by 1, and necrosis by 2 and 3, are demonstrated, by both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Compound 1 activates the p53 gene, 2 activates only the p73 gene, whereas 3 activates both the p53 and p73 genes. Compounds 1 and 3 activate NF-κB, and each inhibits topoisomerase I.