Bioconjugates of Co(III) complexes with Schiff base ligands and cell penetrating peptides: Solid phase synthesis, characterization and antiproliferative activity

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel halogenated chlorido[N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-bis(3-methoxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]iron(III) complexes as anticancer agents

Iron(III) complexes based on N,N´-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine (salene) scaffolds have demonstrated promising anticancer features like induction of ferroptosis, an iron dependent cell death. Since poor cellular uptake limits their therapeutical potential, this study aimed to enhance the lipophilic character of chlorido[N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-bis(3-methoxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]iron(III) complexes by introducing lipophilicity improving ligands such as fluorine (X1), chlorine (X2) and bromine (X3) in 5-position in the salicylidene moieties. After detailed characterization the binding to nucleophiles, logP values and cellular uptake were determined. The complexes were further evaluated regarding their biological activity on MDA-MB 231 mammary carcinoma, the non-tumorous SV-80 fibroblast, HS-5 stroma and MCF-10A mammary gland cell lines. Stability of the complexes in aqueous and biological environments was proven by the lack of interactions with amino acids and glutathione. Cellular uptake was positively correlated with the logP values, indicating that higher lipophilicity enhanced cellular uptake. The complexes induced strong antiproliferative and antimetabolic effects on MDA-MB 231 cells, but were inactive on all non-malignant cells tested. Generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, increase of lipid peroxidation and induction of both ferroptosis and necroptosis were identified as mechanisms of action. In conclusion, halogenation of chlorido[N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-bis(3-methoxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]iron(III) complexes raises their lipophilic character resulting in improved cellular uptake.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of novel cobalt(II) complexes with β-diketonates: crystal structure determination, BSA binding properties and molecular docking study

In order to discover a new antibiotic drug with better or similar activity of the already existing drugs, a series of novel cobalt(II) complexes with β-diketonate as ligands is synthesized and tested on four strains of bacteria and four species of fungi. All compounds showed notable antimicrobial activity against all tested strains. More importantly, some cobalt(II) complexes displayed greater activity than ketoconazole. It is important to notice that on the tested strains Mucor mucedo and Penicillium italicum complex 2B showed five times better activity compared to ketoconazole, while complex 2D had two times better activity on Penicillium italicum strain compared to ketoconazole. Moreover, investigations with bovine serum albumin were performed. Investigations showed that the tested complexes have an appropriate affinity for binding to bovine serum albumin. In addition, the molecular docking study was performed to investigate more specifically the sites and binding mode of the tested cobalt(II) complexes with β-diketonate as ligands to bovine serum albumin, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, topoisomerase II DNA gyrase, and cytochrome P450 14 alpha-sterol demethylase. In conclusion, all the results indicated the great prospective of the novel cobalt complexes for some potential clinical applications in the future.

Synthesis, characterization, and cancer cell-selective cytotoxicity of mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes of 8-hydroxyquinolines and phenanthroline bases

Transition metal complexes exhibiting selective toxicity towards a broad range of cancer types are highly desirable as potential anticancer agents. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies of six new mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes of general formula [Co(B)2(L)](ClO4)2 (1-6), where B is a N,N-donor phenanthroline base, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1, 2), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 3, 4), and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 5, 6), and L is the monoanion of 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ in 1, 3, 5) and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline (CQ in 2, 4, 6). The X-ray single crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 as PF6- salts revealed a distorted octahedral CoN5O coordination environment. Complexes demonstrated good stability in an aqueous buffer medium and in the presence of ascorbic acid as a reductant. Cytotoxicity studies using a panel of nine cancer cell lines showed that complex 6, with the dppz and CQ ligands, was significantly toxic against most cancer cell types, yielding IC50 values in the range of 2 to 14 μM. Complexes 1, 3, and 5, containing the HQ ligand, displayed lower toxicity compared to their CQ counterparts. The phenanthroline complexes demonstrated marginal toxicity towards the tested cell lines, while the dpq complexes exhibited moderate toxicity. Interestingly, all complexes demonstrated negligible toxicity towards normal HEK-293 kidney cells (IC50 > 100 μM). The observed cytotoxicity of the complexes correlated well with their lipophilicities (dppz > dpq > phen). The cytotoxicity of complex 6 was comparable to that of the clinical drug cisplatin under similar conditions. Notably, neither the HQ nor the CQ ligands alone demonstrated noticeable toxicity against any of the tested cell lines. The Annexin-V-FITC and DCFDA assays revealed that the cell death mechanism induced by the complexes involved apoptosis, which could be attributed to the metal-assisted generation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, the dppz complex 6, with its remarkable cytotoxicity against a broad range of cancer cells and negligible toxicity toward normal cells, holds significant potential for cancer chemotherapeutic applications.

Vanillin derivatives as antiamnesic agents in scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice

Amnesia is a major health problem prevalent in almost every part of the world specifically in old age peoples. Vanillin analogues have played an important role in the field medicines. Some of them have been documented to be promising inhibitors of cholinesterases and could therefore, be used as antidepressant, anti-Alzheimer and as neuroprotective drugs. In this connection, the present study was designed to synthesize new vanillin analogues (SB-1 to SB-6) of varied biological potentials. The synthesized compounds were investigated as inhibitors against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes and as scavengers of DPPH and ABTS free radicals followed by behavioural antiamnesic evaluation in mice. The compounds; SB-1, SB-3, SB-4 and SB-6 more potently inhibited AChE with IC50 values of 0.078, 0.157, 0.108, and 0.014 μM respectively. The BChE was more potently inhibited by SB-3 with IC50 of 0.057 μM. Moreover, all of the tested compounds exhibited strong antioxidant potentials with promising results of SB-3 against DPPH with IC50 of 0.305 μM, while SB-5 was most active against ABTS with IC50 of 0.190 μM. The in-vivo studies revealed the improvement in memory deficit caused by scopolamine. Y-Maze and new object recognition test showed a considerable decline in cognitive dysfunctions. In Y-Maze test the spontaneous alteration of 69.44 ± 1% and 84.88 ± 1.35% for SB-1 and 68.92 ± 1% and 80.89 ± 1% for SB-3 at both test doses were recorded while during the novel object recognition test the Discrimination Index percentage of SB-1 was more pronounced as compared to standard drug. All compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of AChE, BChE, DPPH, and ABTS in vitro however, SB-1 and SB-3 were comparatively more potent. SB-1 was also more active in reclamation of memory deficit caused by scopolamine. SB-1 and SB-3 may be considered as excellent drug candidates for treating amnesia subjected to toxicological evaluations in other animal models.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Study of Amine-Bridged Bis(phenolato) Co(II) and Co(II/III)-M(I) Complexes (M = K or Na)

Co(II) complexes 1-3 bearing amine-bridged bis(phenolato) complexes have been synthesized through reactions of bis(phenols) with CoCl₂ or Co(OAc)₂. Oxidation of the Co(II) complex with air resulted in partial oxidation, generating mixed valence Co(II/III) complexes 4 and 5. In addition, due to the presence of alkali compounds (KOAc and NaOMe), 4 and 5 formed as Co-alkali metal heterometallic complexes, which are the first example of mixed valence Co(II/III)-M(I) (M = K or Na) complexes. Complexes 1-5 showed good activity in the cycloaddition of epoxides and CO₂ under atmospheric pressure, generating cyclic carbonates in 40-99% yields. Co(II/III)-Na(I) complex 5 performed better in reactions of bulkier substrates, underlining the enhanced activity of mixed valence Co-alkali metal heterometallic complexes. On the contrary, complex 5 showed limited activity in copolymerization of epoxide and CO₂.

Recent Advances and Trends in Chemical CPP-Drug Conjugation Techniques

This review summarizes recent developments in conjugation techniques for the synthesis of cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)–drug conjugates targeting cancer cells. We will focus on small organic molecules as well as metal complexes that were used as cytostatic payloads. Moreover, two principle ways of coupling chemistry will be discussed direct conjugation as well as the use of bifunctional linkers. While direct conjugation of the drug to the CPP is still popular, the use of bifunctional linkers seems to gain increasing attention as it offers more advantages related to the linker chemistry. Thus, three main categories of linkers will be highlighted, forming either disulfide acid-sensitive or stimuli-sensitive bonds. All techniques will be thoroughly discussed by their pros and cons with the aim to help the reader in the choice of the optimal conjugation technique that might be used for the synthesis of a given CPP–drug conjugate

Cyanobacteria and Eukaryotic Microalgae as Emerging Sources of Antibacterial Peptides

Cyanobacteria and microalgae are oxygen-producing photosynthetic unicellular organisms encompassing a great diversity of species, which are able to grow under all types of extreme environments and exposed to a wide variety of predators and microbial pathogens. The antibacterial compounds described for these organisms include alkaloids, fatty acids, indoles, macrolides, peptides, phenols, pigments and terpenes, among others. This review presents an overview of antibacterial peptides isolated from cyanobacteria and microalgae, as well as their synergism and mechanisms of action described so far. Antibacterial cyanopeptides belong to different orders, but mainly from Oscillatoriales and Nostocales. Cyanopeptides have different structures but are mainly cyclic peptides. This vast peptide repertoire includes ribosomal and abundant non-ribosomal peptides, evaluated by standard conventional methodologies against pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial activity described for microalgal peptides is considerably scarcer, and limited to protein hydrolysates from two Chlorella species, and few peptides from Tetraselmis suecica. Despite the promising applications of antibacterial peptides and the importance of searching for new natural sources of antibiotics, limitations still persist for their pharmaceutical applications.

Synthesis, structural determination, in vitro and in silico biological evaluation of divalent or trivalent cobalt complexes with indomethacin

The interaction of cobalt chloride with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (Hindo) led to the formation of the polymeric complex [Co(indo-O)2(H2O)2(μ-Cl)]n·n(MeOH·H2O) bearing one chlorido bridge between the cobalt atoms. The presence of the nitrogen-donor co-ligands 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy), 2,2'-bipyridylamine (bipyam), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 1H-imidazole (Himi) resulted in the isolation of complexes [Co2(μ-indo-O,O')2(indo-O)2(bipy)2(μ-H2O)]·3.3MeOH, [Co(indo-O,O')2(bipyam)]·0.9MeOH·0.2H2O, [Co(indo-O,O')2(phen)] (4) and [Co(indo-O)2(Himi)2] (5), respectively, where the indomethacin ligands were coordinated in diverse manners. The study of the affinity of the complexes for calf-thymus DNA revealed their intercalation between the DNA-bases. The binding of the complexes to albumins was also examined and the corresponding binding constants and binding subdomain were determined. The free radical scavenging activity of the compounds was evaluated towards 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). Molecular modeling calculations may usually provide a molecular basis for the understanding of both the impairment of DNA by its binding with the studied complexes and the ability of these compounds to transportation through serum albumin proteins. This study can provide information for the elucidation of the mechanism of action of the compounds in a molecular level.

PLA-PEG nanospheres decorated with phage display selected peptides as biomarkers for detection of human colorectal adenocarcinoma

Peptide-mediated targeting to colorectal cancer can increase selectivity and specificity of this cancer diagnosis acting as biomarkers. The present work aimed to select peptides using the phage display technique and associate the peptides with polymeric nanospheres in order to evaluate their cytotoxicity and selectivity during cell interaction with Caco-2 human colon tumor cell line. Two peptides identified by phage display (peptide-1 and peptide-2) were synthesized and exhibited purity higher than 84%. Poly(lactic acid)-block-polyethylene glycol nanospheres were prepared by nanoprecipitation and double emulsion methods in order to load the two peptides. Nanoparticles ranged in size from 114 to 150 nm and peptide encapsulation efficiency varied from 16 to 32%, depending on the methodology. No cytotoxic activity was observed towards Caco-2 tumor cell line, either free or loaded peptides in concentrations up to 3 μM at incubation times of 6 and 24 h, indicating safety as biomarkers. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peptides allowed evaluating selective interactions with Caco-2 cells, where peptide-1 entrapped in nanospheres showed greater intensity of co-localized cell fluorescence, in comparison to peptide-2. Peptide-1 loaded in nanospheres revealed promising to be investigated in further studies of selectivity with other human colon rectal cells as a potential biomarker.Graphical abstract.