Synthesis, X-ray structures and anticancer activity of gold(I)-carbene complexes with selenones as co-ligands and their molecular docking studies with thioredoxin reductase

Anticancer Activity of Metallodrugs and Metallizing Host Defense Peptides-Current Developments in Structure-Activity Relationship

This article provides an overview of the development, structure and activity of various metal complexes with anti-cancer activity. Chemical researchers continue to work on the development and synthesis of new molecules that could act as anti-tumor drugs to achieve more favorable therapies. It is therefore important to have information about the various chemotherapeutic substances and their mode of action. This review focuses on metallodrugs that contain a metal as a key structural fragment, with cisplatin paving the way for their chemotherapeutic application. The text also looks at ruthenium complexes, including the therapeutic applications of phosphorescent ruthenium(II) complexes, emphasizing their dual role in therapy and diagnostics. In addition, the antitumor activities of titanium and gold derivatives, their side effects, and ongoing research to improve their efficacy and reduce adverse effects are discussed. Metallization of host defense peptides (HDPs) with various metal ions is also highlighted as a strategy that significantly enhances their anticancer activity by broadening their mechanisms of action.

Dinuclear gold(I) complexes based on carbene and diphosphane ligands: bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine complex inhibits the proteasome activity, decreases stem cell markers and spheroid viability in lung cancer cells

Three new dinuclear gold(I) complexes (1-3) containing a carbene (1,3-Bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr)) and diphosphane ligands [bis(1,2-diphenylphosphano)ethane (Dppe), bis(1,3-diphenylphosphano)propane (Dppp) and bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine (DCyPA)], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and, ESI-MS, mid FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic methods. The structures of complexes 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography, which revealed that the complexes are dinuclear having gold(I) ions linearly coordinated. The anticancer activities of the complexes (1-3) were evaluated in lung (A549), breast (MC-F7), prostate (PC-3), osteosarcoma (MG-63) and ovarian (A2780 and A2780cis) cancer models. Growth inhibition by the new complexes was higher than cisplatin in all cell lines tested. The mechanism of action of complex 3 was investigated in A549 cells using 2-dimensional (2D) models and 3D-multicellular tumor spheroids. Treatment of A549 cells with complex 3 caused: the induction of apoptosis and the generation of reactive oxygen species; the cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase; the inhibition of both the proteasome and the NF-kB activity; the down-regulation of lung cancer stem cell markers (NOTCH1, CD133, ALDH1 and CD44). Complex 3 was more active than cisplatin also in 3D models of A549 lung cancer cells.

Electronic and ring size effects of N-heterocyclic carbenes on the kinetics of ligand substitution reactions and DNA/protein interactions of their palladium(II) complexes

The synthesis, substitution kinetics and DNA/BSA interactions of four cationic Pd(II) complexes [Pd(1)Cl]BF4 (Pd1), [Pd(2)Cl]BF4 (Pd2), [Pd(3)Cl]BF4 (Pd3) and [Pd(4)Cl]BF4 (Pd4), derived from the reaction of [PdCl2(NCCH3)2] with ligands 2,6-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine dibromide (1), 2,6-bis(3-ethylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine dibromide (2), 2,6-bis(1-methylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (3), and 2,6-bis(1-ethylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (4), respectively are reported. The complexes were characterised by various spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray diffraction for compound Pd2. Kinetic reactivity of the complexes with the biologically relevant nucleophiles thiourea (Tu), L-methionine (L-Met) and guanosine 5'-monophosphate sodium salt (5'-GMP) was in the order: Pd1 > Pd2 > Pd3 > Pd4, which was largely dependent on the electronic and ring size of the chelate ligands, consistent with Density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding titrations showed strong binding. Both the experimental and in silico data reveal CT-DNA intercalative binding mode.

Triple-Click Chemistry of Selenium Dihalides: Catalytic Regioselective and Highly Efficient Synthesis of Bis-1,2,3-Triazole Derivatives of 9-Selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

The catalytic regioselective and highly efficient synthesis of bis-1,2,3-triazole derivatives of 9-selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane was developed. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 2,6-diazido-9-selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane with a variety of terminal acetylenes catalyzed by a copper acetate/sodium ascorbate system proceeded in a regioselective fashion, affording 2,6-bis(4-organyl-1,2,3-triazole)-9-selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes in high yields (93–98%). The reaction of 2,6-diazido-9-selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane with dimethyl and diethyl acetylenedicarboxylates was carried out as thermal 1,3-dipolar Huisgen cycloaddition giving the corresponding 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of 9-selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane in high yields. The obtained products are potentially bioactive compounds and first representatives of selenium heterocycles combined with two 1,2,3-triazole moieties. 2.6-Diazido-9-selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane was obtained in quantitative yield via the reaction of sodium azide with 2,6-dibromo-9-selenabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane at room temperature. The latter compound was synthesized by stereoselective transannular addition of selenium dibromide to cis, cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene.

Regioselective Synthesis of Novel Functionalized Dihydro-1,4-thiaselenin-2-ylsufanyl Derivatives under Phase Transfer Catalysis

The regioselective one-pot synthesis of novel functionalized 2,3-dihydro-1,4-thiaselenin-2-ylsufanyl derivatives in high yields based on 2-bromomethyl-1,3-thiaselenole and activated alkenes was developed under phase transfer catalysis conditions. The reactions proceed under mild conditions at room temperature in a regioselective manner with the addition of sodium dihydro-1,4-thiaselenin-2-ylthiolate exclusively at the terminal carbon atom of the double bond of vinyl methyl ketone, alkylacrylates, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, divinyl sulfone, and divinyl sulfoxide. The sodium dihydro-1,4-thiaselenin-2-ylthiolate was generated from 2-[amino(imino)methyl]sulfanyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-thiaselenine hydrobromide. The latter compound was obtained by the reaction of 2-bromomethyl-1,3-thiaselenole with thiourea, which was accompanied by a rearrangement with ring expansion to the six-membered heterocycle. The obtained 2,3-dihydro-1,4-thiaselenin-2-ylsufanyl derivatives are a novel family of compounds with putative biological activity. The addition products of sodium dihydro-1,4-thiaselenin-2-ylthiolate at one double bond of divinyl sulfone and divinyl sulfoxide, containing vinylsulfonyl and vinylsulfinyl groups, are capable of further addition reactions. A possibility to obtain corresponding alcohol derivatives was shown in the reaction with vinyl methyl ketone.

Quantum Chemical and Experimental Studies of an Unprecedented Reaction Pathway of Nucleophilic Substitution of 2-Bromomethyl-1,3-thiaselenole with 1,3-Benzothiazole-2-thiol Proceeding Stepwise at Three Different Centers of Seleniranium Intermediates

The results of quantum chemical and experimental studies of the reaction of 2-bromomethyl-1,3-thiaselenole with 1,3-benzothiazole-2-thiol made it possible to discover the unprecedented pathway of this reaction, which proceeds stepwise at three different centers of seleniranium intermediates. The first stage includes an attack of thiolate anion at the selenium atom of the seleniranium cation accompanied by ring opening with the formation of (Z)-2-[(1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)selanyl]ethenyl vinyl sulfide, which is converted to six-membered heterocycle, 2-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-thiaselenin-2-ylsulfanyl)-1,3-benzothiazole, in a 99% yield. The latter compound undergoes rearrangement with ring contraction producing five-membered heterocycle, 2-[(1,3-thiaselenol-2-ylmethyl)sulfanyl]-1,3-benzothiazole, in a 99% yield (the thermodynamic product). The formation of 1,2-bis[(Z)-2-(vinylsulfanyl)ethenyl] diselenide is the result of the disproportionation of (Z)-2-[(1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)selanyl]ethenyl vinyl sulfide. Thus, based on the quantum chemical and experimental studies, a regioselective synthesis of the reaction products in high yields was developed.

Alteration of Anticancer and Protein-Binding Properties of Gold(I) Alkynyl by Phenolic Schiff Bases Moieties

A set of five gold complexes with the general formula Au(PR₃)(C≡C-C₆H₄-4-R′) (R = PPh₃, R′ = –CHO (1), R = PCy₃, R′ = –CHO (2), R = PPh₃, R′ = –N=CH-C₆H₄-2-OH (3), R = PPh₃, R′ = –N=CH-C₆H₄-4-OH (4), R = PCy₃, R′ = –N=CH-C₆H₄-2-OH (5)) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The structures of complexes 2 and 5 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The effects of the structural modifications on the protein binding affinities and anticancer activities of the five gold complexes were assessed. Fluorescence quenching experiments to assess binding to human serum albumin (HSA) revealed that the Schiff base complexes (3, 4, and 5) had binding constants that were superior to their parent aldehyde complexes and highlighted the position of the hydroxy group because complex 4 (4-hydroxy) had a binding constant 6400 times higher than complex 3 (2-hydroxy). The anticancer activities of the complexes against the OVCAR-3 (ovarian carcinoma) and HOP-62 (non-small-cell lung) cancer cell lines showed that the Schiff bases (3–5) were more cytotoxic than the aldehyde-containing complexes (1 and 2). Notably, compound 4 had cytotoxic activity comparable to that of cisplatin against OVCAR-3, demonstrating the significance of the para position for the hydroxy group. Molecular docking studies against the enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and human serum albumin were conducted, with docking scores in good agreement with the experimental data. The current study highlights how small structural modifications can alter physiochemical and anticancer properties. Moreover, this simple design strategy using the aldehyde group can generate extensive opportunities to explore new gold(I)-based anticancer drugs via condensation, cyclization, or nucleophilic addition reactions of the aldehyde.

Synthesis, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities, and molecular docking studies of a novel compound based on combination of flurbiprofen and isoniazide

A novel compound (1) shows ∼2.5 and ∼1.7 times enhanced AChE inhibition activity and BuChE inhibition activity respectively compared to flurbiprofen and standard drug (i.e. physostigmine). It has also been confirmed by comparative AutoDock studies.

Influence of halogen bonding on gold(i)-ligand bond components and DFT characterization of a gold-iodine halogen bond

A gold(i) complex bearing nitrogen acyclic carbene (NAC) and selenourea (SeU) has been used to verify whether the second-sphere SeI halogen bond (XB) is able to modify the Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson components of the Au-C and Au-Se bonds. The chosen system was found to be thermically unstable but it allowed an in-depth theoretical study by means of Energy Decomposition Analysis, Natural Bond Orbital and Natural Orbitals for Chemical Valence methods, coupled with Charge Displacement analysis. Indeed, in the presence of iodoperfluoroalkanes as XB donors, iodine interacts with the lone pair of the coordinated selenium, enhancing the Au ← C σ donation and depressing the Au → C π back-donation, as demonstrated also by the increase of the rotational barrier of the C-N bond of the NAC (see G. Ciancaleoni and others, Chem. - Eur. J., 2015, 21, 2467). On the other hand, in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS), the gold directly establishes a XB with the iodine by using its d lone pairs. This AuI XB is favored by the low steric hindrance of the ligands coordinated to the gold and the presence of the amino protons of SeU, which establish additional hydrogen bonds with the NIS. Also in this case, the effect is to increase the σ acidity and decrease the π basicity of the metal.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, molecular docking and theoretical studies (DFT) of N-(4-aminophenylsulfonyl)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propanamide having potential enzyme inhibition applications

A mutual prodrug (1) of ibuprofen and sulphanilamide has been synthesized with dual activity and improved toxicity profile. The synthesized compound has been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR and ESI-MS. The molecular geometry of the compound (1) was optimized using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with the 6-311G(d,p) basis sets in ground state. Geometric parameters (bond lengths, bond angles, torsion angles), vibrational assignments, chemical shifts and thermodynamics of the compound (1) has been calculated theoretically and compared with the experimental data. Comparative AutoDock study of compound (1) with cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) were performed involving docking for possible selectivity of our prodrug within the two Cox enzymes. The highest binding affinities of -8.7 Kcal/mol and -8.1 Kcal/mol has been obtained for COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes respectively. Compound (1) exhibited enhanced anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and free radical scavenging activities as compared with the parent drugs. Based on various in vitro and in vivo tests it is suggested that the Compound (1) is more active than the parent drugs. Moreover, LD₅₀ of compound (1) is higher than parent drug i.e. ibuprofen and sulphanilamide suggesting that the synthesized compound is much safer than its parent analogous.

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.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Adducts of Main Group Elements and Their Use as Ligands in Transition Metal Chemistry

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are nowadays ubiquitous and indispensable in many research fields, and it is not possible to imagine modern transition metal and main group element chemistry without the plethora of available NHCs with tailor-made electronic and steric properties. While their suitability to act as strong ligands toward transition metals has led to numerous applications of NHC complexes in homogeneous catalysis, their strong σ-donating and adaptable π-accepting abilities have also contributed to an impressive vitalization of main group chemistry with the isolation and characterization of NHC adducts of almost any element. Formally, NHC coordination to Lewis acids affords a transfer of nucleophilicity from the carbene carbon atom to the attached exocyclic moiety, and low-valent and low-coordinate adducts of the p-block elements with available lone pairs and/or polarized carbon-element π-bonds are able to act themselves as Lewis basic donor ligands toward transition metals. Accordingly, the availability of a large number of novel NHC adducts has not only produced new varieties of already existing ligand classes but has also allowed establishment of numerous complexes with unusual and often unprecedented element-metal bonds. This review aims at summarizing this development comprehensively and covers the usage of N-heterocyclic carbene adducts of the p-block elements as ligands in transition metal chemistry.

Recent advances in gold–NHC complexes with biological properties

This tutorial review covers the recent advances made in the study of gold complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with biological properties.

Cytotoxic effects of gold(i) complexes against colon, cervical and osteo carcinoma cell lines: a mechanistic approach

Water-soluble gold(i) complexes, [Au(Ipr)(L)]PF₆where L = thiourea (Tu)1andN,N′-dimethylthiourea (Me₂Tu)2, were synthesized from the parent 1,3-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidenechloridogold(i) [(Ipr)AuCl] (0).