Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of the cis-[RhL2Cl2]Cl complex with the bifunctional ligand (L) 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline. Biological activity towards PAF (Platelet Activating Factor) induced platelet aggregation

First-Row Transition Metal Complexes Incorporating the 2-(2'-pyridyl)quinoxaline Ligand (pqx), as Potent Inflammatory Mediators: Cytotoxic Properties and Biological Activities against the Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) and Thrombin

Inflammatory mediators constitute a recently coined term in the field of metal-based complexes with antiplatelet activities. Our strategy targets Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) and its receptor, which is the most potent lipid mediator of inflammation. Thus, the antiplatelet (anti-PAF) potency of any substance could be exerted by inhibiting the PAF-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs), which internationally is a well-accepted methodology. Herein, a series of mononuclear (mer-[Cr(pqx)Cl3(H2O]) (1), [Co(pqx)Cl2(DMF)] (2) (DMF = N,N'-dimethyl formamide), [Cu(pqx)Cl2(DMSO)] (3) (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide), [Zn(pqx)Cl2] (4)) and dinuclear complexes ([Mn(pqx)(H2O)2Cl2]2 (5), [Fe(pqx)Cl2]2 (6) and [Ni(pqx)Cl2]2 (7)) incorporating the 2-(2'-pyridyl)quinoxaline ligand (pqx), were biologically evaluated as inhibitors of the PAF- and thrombin-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs). The molecular structure of the five-co-ordinate analog (3) has been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealing a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. All complexes are potent inhibitors of the PAF-induced aggregation in WRPs in the micromolar range. Complex (6) displayed a remarkable in vitro dual inhibition against PAF and thrombin, with IC50 values of 1.79 μM and 0.46 μM, respectively. Within the series, complex (5) was less effective (IC50 = 39 μM) while complex (1) was almost 12-fold more potent against PAF, as opposed to thrombin-induced aggregation. The biological behavior of complexes 1, 6 and 7 on PAF's basic metabolic enzymatic pathways reveals that they affect key biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes of PAF underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of the relevant complexes. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of all complexes in HEK293T (human embryonic kidney cells) and HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells) are described via the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results reveal that complex 3 is the most potent within the series.

Recent advances in biological activities of rhodium complexes: Their applications in drug discovery research

Unique structure, characteristic reactivity, and facile synthesis of metal complexes have made them efficient ligands in drug development research. Among them, rhodium complexes have a limited history and there are a few discussions about their biological activities documented in the literature. However, investigation of kinetically inert rhodium complexes has recently attracted lots of attention and especially there are various evidences on their anti-cancer activity. It seems that they can be investigated as a versatile surrogates or candidates for the existing drugs which do not affect selectively or suffer from various side effects. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of mononuclear rhodium (III) organometallo drugs due to its versatile structurally important aspects to inhibit various enzymes. It has been demonstrated that organometallic Rh complexes profiting from both organic and inorganic aspects have shown more potent biological activities than classical inorganic compartments. In this respect, smart design, use of the appropriate organic ligands, and efficient and user-friendly synthesis of organometallic Rh complexes have played crucial roles in the inducing desirable biological activities. In this review, we focused on the recent advances published on the bioactivity of Rh (III/II/I) complexes especially inhibitory activity, from 2013 till now. Accordingly, considering the structure-activity relationship (SAR), the effect of oxidation state (+1, +2, and +3) and geometry (dimer or monomer complexes with coordination number of 4 and 6) of Rh complexes as well as various ligands on in vitro and in vivo studies was comprehensively discussed.

A Review on Platelet Activating Factor Inhibitors: Could a New Class of Potent Metal-Based Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Induce Anticancer Properties?

In this minireview, we refer to recent results as far as the Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) inhibitors are concerned. At first, results of organic compounds (natural and synthetic ones and specific and nonspecific) as inhibitors of PAF are reported. Emphasis is given on recent results about a new class of the so-called metal-based inhibitors of PAF. A small library of 30 metal complexes has been thus created; their anti-inflammatory activity has been further evaluated owing to their inhibitory effect against PAF in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs). In addition, emphasis has also been placed on the identification of preliminary structure-activity relationships for the different classes of metal-based inhibitors.

Synthesis, reactivity and characterization of Pt(ii) complexes with N,N′ chelating ligands; structure and dimethylsulfoxide reactivity relationship

Chelated N-heterocycles can be replaced from the coordination sphere of square planar Pt(ii) complexes by DMSO.

Synthesis, biochemical evaluation and molecular modeling studies of novel rhodium complexes with nanomolar activity against Platelet Activating Factor

Two square planar Rh(I) organometallic complexes namely [Rh(L(1))(cod)]Cl (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene, L(1)=2,2'-pyridylquinoxaline (1-Cl), [Rh(L1)(cod)](NO3) (1-NO(3)) and a series of novel octahedral rhodium(III) complexes of the general formulae mer-[Rh(L(1))Cl(3)(MeOH)] (2) and cis-[Rh(L(2))(2)Cl(2)]Cl (L(2)=4 carboxy 2 (2' pyridyl)quinoline (3), L(3)=2,2' bipyridine 4,4' dicarboxylic acid (4) were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. All the synthesized compounds including the previously prepared cis-[Rh(L(1))(2)Cl(2)]Cl complex (5) were biologically evaluated as potential inhibitors of the Platelet Activation Factor (PAF) and thrombin induced aggregation. In particular compounds 1-Cl and 1-NO(3) were found to be strong inhibitors of PAF with IC(50) values in the range of 16 nM and 15 nM rendering them good candidates for further investigation. Their potency is comparable to that of the widely used PAF receptor antagonists WEB2170, BN52021, and Rupatadine (IC(50) of 20, 30 and 260 nM respectively). Molecular docking calculations suggest that 1-Cl, 1-NO3 and 2 can be accommodated within the ligand-binding site of PAF receptor and block the activity of PAF. On the other hand, the octahedral rhodium(III) complexes 3-5 that cannot fit the ligand-binding domain, could potentially exhibit their activity at the extracellular domain of the receptor.

Structurally diverse metal coordination compounds, bearing imidodiphosphinate and diphosphinoamine ligands, as potential inhibitors of the platelet activating factor

Metal complexes bearing dichalcogenated imidodiphosphinate [R₂P(E)NP(E)R₂′]⁻ ligands (E = O, S, Se, Te), which act as (E,E) chelates, exhibit a remarkable variety of three-dimensional structures. A series of such complexes, namely, square-planar [Cu{(OPPh₂)(OPPh₂)N-O, O}₂], tetrahedral [Zn{(EPPh₂)(EPPh₂)N-E,E}₂], E = O, S, and octahedral [Ga{(OPPh₂)(OPPh₂)N-O,O}₃], were tested as potential inhibitors of either the platelet activating factor (PAF)- or thrombin-induced aggregation in both washed rabbit platelets and rabbit platelet rich plasma. For comparison, square-planar [Ni{(Ph₂P)₂N-S-CHMePh-P, P}X₂], X = Cl, Br, the corresponding metal salts of all complexes and the (OPPh₂)(OPPh₂)NH ligand were also investigated. Ga(O,O)₃ showed the highest anti-PAF activity but did not inhibit the thrombin-related pathway, whereas Zn(S,S)₂, with also a significant PAF inhibitory effect, exhibited the highest thrombin-related inhibition. Zn(O,O)₂ and Cu(O,O)₂ inhibited moderately both PAF and thrombin, being more effective towards PAF. This work shows that the PAF-inhibitory action depends on the structure of the complexes studied, with the bulkier Ga(O,O)₃ being the most efficient and selective inhibitor.