Ru(II)–DMSO complexes containing aromatic and heterocyclic acid hydrazides: Structure, electrochemistry and biological activity

A selective CuII complex with 4-fluorophenoxyacetic acid hydrazide and phenanthroline displays DNA-cleaving and pro-apoptotic properties in cancer cells

The thin line between efficacy and toxicity has challenged cancer therapy. As copper is an essential micronutrient and is important to tumor biology, CuII complexes emerged as an alternative to chemotherapy; however, its biological properties need to be better understood. Thus, we report in vitro the antitumor effects of two CuII complexes named [Cu(4-fh)(phen)(ClO4)2] (complex 1) and [Cu(4-nh)(phen)(ClO4)2]·H2O (complex 2), in which 4-fh = 4-fluorophenoxyacetic acid hydrazide; 4-nh = 4-nitrobenzoic hydrazide and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline. Both complexes presented cytotoxic activity against tumor cells, but only complex 1 showed significant selectivity. Complex 1 also induced DNA-damage, led to G0/G1 arrest and triggered apoptosis, which was initiated by an autophagy dysfunction. The significant in vitro selectivity and the action mechanism of complex 1 are noteworthy and reveal this prodrug as promising for anticancer therapy.

Multi-activity tetracoordinated pallado-oxadiazole thiones as anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-microbial agents: Structure, stability and bioactivity comparison with pallado-hydrazides

Herein, we report a comparative study based on structure, thermal and solution stability, and biopotency against lipoxygenase (LOX), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and microbes for Pd(II) compounds of N,O,S bearing 5-(C₅H₄XR)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiones (L') of type [PdL'Cl₂] (P'n) and N,O bearing respective hydrazides (L) of type trans-[PdL₂Cl₂] (Pn) {X = C, R = 4-I, 2-Br, 4-NO₂, 3-NO₂, 2-Cl, 3-Cl (n = 1-6, serially); X = N (n = 7)}. Spectral techniques (IR, EI-MS, NMR) and physicochemical evaluations successfully characterized the new compounds. The L' behaved as bidentate S-N donors bonded through exocyclic sulfur and N-3' nitrogen, while L acted as amino N donors. UV-vis (solution speciation) and thermal degradation profiles consistently confirmed the greater stability for P'n than Pn compounds. These compounds manifested varying degree in vitro potential to inhibit LOX, BChE and several bacteria and fungi, affected mainly by Pd(II) presence, M-L binding mode, nature and position of R, or halo groups electronegativity. Molecular docking with human 5-LOX and BChE further validated the respective experimental inhibition findings and explored several putative mechanistic interactions (H-bonding, π-stacking, π-alkyl, π-S, etc.) at the enzyme active sites. Pn generally offered superior antimicrobial and anti-LOX (anti-inflammatory) potential than respective P'n compounds, with P3/P'5, P(2,3,7)/P'3, and P6 being comparable, better and equivalent to ampicillin, nystatin and baicalein, the reference antibacterial, antifungal and anti-LOX drugs, respectively. Contrarily, the anti-BChE activity of P'n was found better than Pn compounds, showing P'2/P1 as the most promising anti-Alzheimer drug candidates. This study bares important structural and mechanistic aspects in optimizing antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-Alzheimer activities, highlighting some potential future pallado-drug candidates.

Photocytotoxic Activity of Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Phenanthroline-Hydrazone Ligands

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of two new polypyridyl-hydrazone Schiff bases, (E)-N′-(6-oxo-1,10-phenanthrolin-5(6H)-ylidene)thiophene-2-carbohydrazide (L¹) and (E)-N′-(6-oxo-1,10-phenanthrolin-5(6H)-ylidene)furan-2-carbohydrazide (L²), and their two Ru(II) complexes of the general formula [RuCl(DMSO)(phen)(Lⁿ)](PF6). Considering that hydrazides are a structural part of severa l drugs and metal complexes containing phenanthroline derivatives are known to interact with DNA and to exhibit antitumor activity, more potent anticancer agents can be obtained by covalently linking the thiophene acid hydrazide or the furoic acid hydrazide to a 1,10-phenanthroline moiety. These ligands and the Ru(II) complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, electronic, vibrational, ¹H NMR, and ESI-MS spectroscopies. Ru is bound to two different N-heterocyclic ligands. One chloride and one S-bonded DMSO in cis-configuration to each other complete the octahedral coordination sphere around the metal ion. The ligands are very effective in inhibiting cellular growth in a chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562. Both complexes are able to interact with DNA and present moderate cytotoxic activity, but 5 min of UV-light exposure increases cytotoxicity by three times.

Ruthenium(II)/(III) DMSO-Based Complexes of 2-Aminophenyl Benzimidazole with In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity

New anticancer ruthenium(II/III) complexes [RuCl₂(DMSO)₂(Hapbim)] (1) and [RuCl₃(DMSO) (Hapbim)] (2) (Hapbim = 2-aminophenyl benzimidazole) have been synthesized and characterized, and their chemotherapeutic potential evaluated. The interaction of the compounds with DNA was studied by both UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopies, revealing intercalation of both the Hapbim ligand and the Ru complexes. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested on human breast cancer (MCF7), human colorectal cancer (Caco2), and normal human liver cell lines (THLE-2), with compound (2) the most potent against cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of (2) is shown to correlate with the ability of the Ru(III) complex to induce apoptosis and to cause cell-cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Notably, both compounds were inactive in the noncancerous cell line. The anticancer effect of (2) has also been studied in an EAC (Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma) mouse model. Significantly, the activity of the complex was more pronounced in vivo, with removal of the cancer burden at doses that resulted in only low levels of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. An apoptosis mechanism was determined by the observation of increased Bax and caspase 3 and decreased Bcl2 expression. Furthermore, (2) decreased oxidative stress and increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes, especially SOD, suggesting the enhancement of normal cell repair. Overall, compound (2) shows great potential as a chemotherapeutic candidate, with promising activity and low levels of side effects.

Oxidative-Extractive Desulfurization of Liquid Fuel by Dimethyl Sulfoxide and ZnCl2 Based Ionic Liquid

In this study, oxidative-extractive desulfurization (OEDS) of liquid fuel has been studied using an ionic liquid prepared by coordination of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with ZnCl2. Synthetic model liquid fuel was prepared by dissolving dibenzothiophene (DBT) in iso-octane. In addition, actual diesel was also tested for total sulfur removal. Oxidation in the OEDS process was achieved by adding hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid to the mixture. Different parameters such as oil to ionic liquid ratio, oxidant to sulfur ratio and temperature were optimized. Kinetic study was performed at different temperatures so as to calculate the reaction rate constants. Optimized conditions were also tested for their applicability on actual diesel. At the optimized conditions (oxidant to sulfur ratio = 6, oil to ionic liquid ratio = 3 and temperature = 30°C), 78% sulfur removal was observed from model oil (initial sulfur concentration = 1,000 mg/L) and 65% sulfur removal was observed for actual diesel oil (initial sulfur concentration = 140 mg/L).

Complexes of platinum and palladium with 4-nitrobenzoic hydrazide: synthesis and cytotoxic activity

New complexes of platinum and palladium were isolated with 4-nitrobenzoic hydrazide (4-NH) and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Results show that the ligand is coordinated to metallic ions by the basic nitrogen of NH2 group and have the general structure cis-[M(4-NH)2X2] where M= Pt or Pd and x = Cl or I. The compound III, [Pt(4-NH)2I2], was found to display cytotoxicity (IC50 = 0.96 µmol L−1) against the K562 tumoral cell line. This complex is significantly more cytotoxic than cisplatin.

Synthesis of novel aza-analogues of tiazofurin with 2-[5,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl] framework as sugar mimic

The novel aza-analogues of tiazofurin (TZF) with 2-[5,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl] moiety, as sugar mimic, were synthesized from O,O-cyclohexylidene derivative of 4,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-nitrobutanal in multi-gram scale. The synthetic route consisted of three stages: (i) the synthesis of corresponding derivative of 5,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile, (ii) the construction of ethyl thiazole-2-carboxylate part by the conversion of the pyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile into the N-trifluoroacetyl derivative followed by cyclocondensation with L-cysteine ethyl ester and then by dehydrogenation, and (iii) the final transformation of the ethyl thiazole-4-carboxylate into the aza-analogues of TZF. The TZF aza-analogues were evaluated for their antiviral activities in cell-culture-based assays.

N'-[(5-Methyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(thio-phen-2-yl)methyl-idene]benzohydrazide

In the title compound, C(22)H(18)N(4)O(2)S, the seven-membered ring generated by an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond adopts an envelope conformation in both of the two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into C(9) chains along [100] by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The mol-ecules are also weakly linked by C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N inter-actions, forming dimers with edge-connected R(2) (2)(9) rings. The dimers are inter-linked by further weak C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into chains along [010].

N'-[1-(2-Amino-phen-yl)ethyl-idene]benzo-hydrazide

The title compound, C₁₅H₁₅N₃O, was obtained by a condensation reaction between o-amino­acetophenone and benzoyl hydrazine. The mol­ecule displays an E configuration about the C=N bond. Intra­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds are formed between the 2-amino­phenyl and imine groups. In the crystal, dimers are formed between mol­ecules linked by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds from the 2-amino­phenyl group. In addition there are inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the amine and carbonyl groups of adjacent mol­ecules. The mol­ecule is twisted rather than planar due to a steric inter­action between the central amide group and the two outer benzene rings. The dihedral angles between this central group and the two rings are 23.29 (9) and 24.96 (9)°.