Effective cleavage of phosphodiester promoted by the zinc(II) and copper(II) inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin

Supramolecular nanomedicines based on host-guest interactions of cyclodextrins

In the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields, cyclodextrin (CD) is undoubtedly one of the most frequently used macrocyclic compounds as the host molecule because it has good biocompatibility and can increase the solubility, bioavailability, and stability of hydrophobic drug guests. In this review, we generalized the unique properties of CDs, CD-related supramolecular nanocarriers, supramolecular controlled release systems, and targeting systems based on CDs, and introduced the paradigms of these nanomedicines. In addition, we also discussed the prospects and challenges of CD-based supramolecular nanomedicines to facilitate the development and clinical translation of these nanomedicines.

Nuclease-like metalloscissors: Biomimetic candidates for cancer and bacterial and viral infections therapy

Despite the extensive and rapid discovery of modern drugs for treatment of cancer, microbial infections, and viral illnesses; these diseases are still among major global health concerns. To take inspiration from natural nucleases and also the therapeutic potential of metallopeptide antibiotics such as the bleomycin family, artificial metallonucleases with the ability of promoting DNA/RNA cleavage and eventually affecting cellular biological processes can be introduced as a new class of therapeutic candidates. Metal complexes can be considered as one of the main categories of artificial metalloscissors, which can prompt nucleic acid strand scission. Accordingly, biologists, inorganic chemists, and medicinal inorganic chemists worldwide have been designing, synthesizing and evaluating the biological properties of metal complexes as artificial metalloscissors. In this review, we try to highlight the recent studies conducted on the nuclease-like metalloscissors and their potential therapeutic applications. Under the light of the concurrent Covid-19 pandemic, the human need for new therapeutics was highlighted much more than ever before. The nuclease-like metalloscissors with the potential of RNA cleavage of invading viral pathogens hence deserve prime attention.

MIL-101(Cr) with incorporated polypyridine zinc complexes for efficient degradation of a nerve agent simulant: spatial isolation of active sites promoting catalysis

Development of an efficient catalyst for degradation of organophosphorus toxicants is highly desirable. Herein, an MIL-101(Cr)LZn catalyst was fabricated by incorporating polypyridine zinc complexes into a MOF to achieve the spatial isolation of active sites. Compared with a terpyridine zinc complex without an MIL-101 support, this catalyst was highly active for detoxification of diethyl-4-nitrophenylphosphate.

Cleaving DNA-model phosphodiester with Lewis acid-base catalytic sites in bifunctional Zr-MOFs

Organophosphates exist in many biomolecules. The design of artificial nucleases for efficient P-O bond cleavage is essential for the fields of genetic engineering and molecular biology. Herein, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with cooperatively isolated multi-catalytic active sites were utilized as heterogeneous catalysts for the hydrolytic cleavage of bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP).

Cyclodextrin-Catalyzed Organic Synthesis: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Applications

Cyclodextrins are well-known macrocyclic oligosaccharides that consist of α-(1,4) linked glucose units and have been widely used as artificial enzymes, chiral separators, chemical sensors, and drug excipients, owing to their hydrophobic and chiral interiors. Due to their remarkable inclusion capabilities with small organic molecules, more recent interests focus on organic reactions catalyzed by cyclodextrins. This contribution outlines the current progress in cyclodextrin-catalyzed organic reactions. Particular emphases are given to the organic reaction mechanisms and their applications. In the end, the future directions of research in this field are proposed.