Design of copper-based anti-inflammatory drugs

Stability, Structure, and Permeability Studies of Copper Tripeptide Species in Aqueous Solution

The use of copper complexes to alleviate inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well known. This study focuses on designing a new drug that could be used to increase the bioavailability of copper and hence be more effective. The ligand chosen was sarcosyl-l-lysyl-l-lysine (Sar-Lys-Lys). The thermodynamic stability of H+, CuII, NiII, and ZnII complexes of Sar-Lys-Lys was measured in an aqueous solution at 298±0.01°C and an ionic strength of 0.15M (NaCl) using glass electrode potentiometry. UV-Vis, ESR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the solution structures of the different species. At physiological pH, the ligand was found to coordinate via two amide nitrogens, the terminal amine, and the terminal carboxy group. The ε-amino group of lysine did not coordinate with the metal ion. Dermal absorption is the preferred method of administration and so this study used partition coefficients and tissue permeability studies to assess the bioavailability of the different complexes. Sar-Lys-Lys was found to increase the copper lipophilicity by a factor of 10 and increased tissue permeability by 30%.

Copper oxide and closantel prevent alterations in hepatic energetic metabolism and reduce inflammation in Haemonchus contortus infection

The aims of this study were to evaluate if the use of copper oxide wire particles, isolated or in association with closantel, in lambs infected with Haemonchus contortus enhances the anthelmintic efficacy of closantel, as well as to evaluate the effects of treatment in hepatic energy metabolism, inflammatory markers and hematological and biochemical tests. The lambs were randomly divided into five groups (6 animals each), as follows: uninfected animals (Control); animals infected with H. contortus (HC); infected and treated with closantel (HC + CL); infected and treated with copper oxide wire particles (HC + Cu); and infected and treated with closantel plus copper oxide wire particles (HC + CL + Cu). The animals of infected groups were infected orally with H. contortus (5,000 L3 -larvae) and on day 14 post infection (p.i) the treatments were initiated. The egg per gram of feces (EPG), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), myeloperoxidase (MPO), adenylate kinase (AK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) activities and hematological and biochemical tests were evaluated. Treatments with copper oxide (isolated and associated) were able to reduce the EPG count on days 28, 35, 42 and 49 p.i when compared to HC group, while closantel was able to reduce EPG only from day 35 p.i. Moreover, treatment with closantel (isolated or associated) was able to prevent the inhibition of hepatic AK and PK activities caused by H. contortus infection, which may contribute to efficient intracellular energetic communication in order to maintain the balance between cellular ATP consumption and production. Butyrylcholinesterase and MPO activities were higher in infected lambs compared to uninfected, while treated groups showed lower enzymatic activity compared to the group HC. The use of all therapeutic protocols was able to reduce the EPG count. Based on these evidences, the use of copper oxide plus closantel may be considered an alternative to treat lambs infected by H. contortus.

Solution equilibria and the X-ray structure of Cu(ii) complexation with 3-amino-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)propanamide, a pseudo-mimic of human serum albumin

Copper complexes have anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Synthesis and preliminary therapeutic evaluation of copper nanoparticles against diabetes mellitus and -induced micro- (renal) and macro-vascular (vascular endothelial and cardiovascular) abnormalities in rats

Current study synthesized and investigated the effect of low-dose copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) against diabetes mellitus and -induced experimental micro- (nephropathy) and macro-vascular (cardio and endothelium) complications.

Potentiometric and Blood Plasma Simulation Studies of Nickel(II) Complexes of Poly(amino)amido Pentadentate Ligands: Computer Aided Metal-Based Drug Design

The thermodynamic equilibria of nickel(II) with N,N′-di(aminoethylene)-2,6-pyridinedicarbonylamine (L1), Bis-(N,N-dimethylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (L2), and N,N′-bis[2(2-pyridyl)-methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L3) have been studied at 25°C and an ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm⁻³ by glass electrode potentiometry. The protonation and formation constants added to blood plasma model predict that Cu(II) competes effectively against Ni(II), Zn(II), and Ca(II) for these ligands in vivo.

Chitosan-based copper nanocomposite accelerates healing in excision wound model in rats

Copper possesses efficacy in wound healing which is a complex phenomenon involving various cells, cytokines and growth factors. Copper nanoparticles modulate cells, cytokines and growth factors involved in wound healing in a better way than copper ions. Chitosan has been shown to be beneficial in healing because of its antibacterial, antifungal, biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric nature. In the present study, chitosan-based copper nanocomposite (CCNC) was prepared by mixing chitosan and copper nanoparticles. CCNC was applied topically to evaluate its wound healing potential and to study its effects on some important components of healing process in open excision wound model in adult Wistar rats. Significant increase in wound contraction was observed in the CCNC-treated rats. The up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-β1) by CCNC-treatment revealed its role in facilitating angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in CCNC-treated rats. Histological evaluation showed more fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition and intact re-epithelialization in CCNC-treated rats. Immunohistochemistry of CD31 revealed marked increase in angiogenesis. Thus, we concluded that chitosan-based copper nanocomposite efficiently enhanced cutaneous wound healing by modulation of various cells, cytokines and growth factors during different phases of healing process.

Development of copper based drugs, radiopharmaceuticals and medical materials

Copper is one of the most interesting elements for various biomedical applications. Copper compounds show vast array of biological actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, biocidal and other. It also offers a selection of radioisotopes, suitable for nuclear imaging and radiotherapy. Quick progress in nanotechnology opened new possibilities for design of copper based drugs and medical materials. To date, copper has not found many uses in medicine, but number of ongoing research, as well as preclinical and clinical studies, will most likely lead to many novel applications of copper in the near future.

Determination of zinc and copper in edible plants by nanometer silica coated, slotted quartz tube, flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Nanometer SiO(2) was coated onto the inner wall of a slotted quartz tube atomizer (STAT) and then was used as a new atomizer (NSC- STAT) for the determination of Zn and Cu by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Compared to conventional STAT-FAAS, the analytical performance of NSC-STAT-FAAS was improved as follows: (a) the linear range of calibration curves was expanded from 30.0-200.0 ng mL(-1) to 5.0-400.0 ng mL(-1) for Zn, and from 100.0-1000.0 ng mL(-1) to 50.0-2000.0 ng mL(-1) for Cu; and (b) the characteristic concentration was decreased from 6.0 ng mL(-1)/1% to 2.7 ng mL(-1)/1% for Zn and from 25.0 ng mL(-1)/1% to 10.1 ng mL(-1)/1% for Cu. NSC-STAT-FAAS was applied for the determination of Zn and Cu in edible plants, including herbal medicine, marine algae, tomato leaves (NIST 1573), and apple leaves (NIST 1515).

Human skin penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as a function of skin layer

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Skin retention and penetration by copper applied as glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine cuprate diacetate was evaluated in vitro in order to assess its potential for its transdermal delivery as an anti-inflammatory agent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Flow-through diffusion cells with 1 cm(2) exposure area were used under infinite dose conditions. 0.68% aq. copper tripeptide as permeant was applied on isolated stratum corneum, heat-separated epidermis and dermatomed skin and receptor fluid collected over 48 h in 4 h intervals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to analyze for copper in tissues and receptor fluid.

RESULTS

The permeability coefficient of the compound through dermatomed skin was 2.43 ± 0.51 × 10(-4) cm/h; 136.2 ± 17.5 μg/cm(2) copper permeated 1 cm(2) of that tissue over 48 h, while 97 ± 6.6 μg/cm(2) were retained as depot.

CONCLUSIONS

Copper as tripeptide was delivered in potentially therapeutically effective amounts for inflammatory disease.

Speciation analysis, bioavailability and risk assessment of trace metals in herbal decoctions using a combined technique of in Vitro digestion and biomembrane filtration as sample pretreatment method

Sample preparation is the first crucial step in the speciation analysis, bioavailability and risk assessment of trace metals in plant samples such as herb and vegetables. Two bionic technologies titled 'in vitro digestion' and 'extraction with biomembrane' were developed for pre-treatment of herbal decoction. The decoctions of Aconiteum carmichaeli and Paeonia lactiflora were digested at body temperature, at the acidity of the stomach or intestine and with inorganic and organic materials (digestive enzymes were included for whole-bionic and excluded for semi-bionic) found in the stomach or intestine. Being similar to the biomembrane between the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels, monolayer liposome was used as a biomembrane model. Affinity-monolayer liposome metals and water-soluble metals were used for speciation analysis and bioavailability assessment of copper and zinc in herbal decoction. In the decoction of Aconiteum carmichaeli and Paeonia lactiflora, Zn was mainly absorbed in the intestine and Cu was mainly absorbed by both stomach and intestine. The safe dosage for males and females is below 257.1 g/day Aconiteum carmichaeli and 529.4 g/day Paeonia lactiflora.

Human skin retention and penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as function of skin layer towards anti-inflammatory therapy

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

The skin retention and penetration characteristics of copper applied as glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine cuprate diacetate were evaluated in vitro in order to assess the potential for its transdermal delivery as anti-inflammatory agent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Flow-through diffusion cells with 1 cm(2) exposure area were used under infinite dose conditions. 0.68% aq. Copper as a tripeptide was applied on isolated stratum corneum, on heat-separated epidermis and on dermatomed skin. Receptor fluid collected over 48 h in 4 h intervals was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for copper in tissues and receptor fluid.

RESULTS

The permeability coefficient of the compound through dermatomed skin was 2.43 ± 0.51 × 10(-4) cm/h; 136.2 ± 17.5 μg/cm(2) copper permeated 1 cm(2) of that tissue over 48 h, while 82 ± 8.1 μg/cm(2) of copper were retained there as depot.

CONCLUSIONS

Applied tansdermally as the tripeptide on human skin ex vivo, copper permeated the skin and was also retained in skin tissue in amounts potentially effective for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Solution equilibria of copper(II) complexation with N,N′-(2,2′-azanediylbis(ethane-2,1-diyl))dipicolinamide: A bio-distribution and dermal absorption study

The protonation equilibria of a pentadentate ligand, N,N'-(2,2'-azanediylbis(ethane-2,1-diyl))dipicolinamide ([H(2)(5555)-N]) and the complexation of this ligand with Cu(II) Ca(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) have been studied by pH-potentiometry, (1)H NMR spectroscopy and UV-vis spectrophotometry. (1)H NMR detected the protonation of the pyridyl groups and formation of Cu[H(2)(5555)-N]H species at low pH, while amide group deprotonation at higher pH resulted in the formation of Cu[H(2)(5555)-N]H(-1) and Cu[H(2)(5555)-N]H(-2) species in solution. Potentiometric detection of protonated species was limited by the acidic nature of the pyridyl nitrogen donors. From UV-vis spectroscopy it is suggested that the amide nitrogens are coordinated. This conclusion is supported by Molecular Mechanics calculations. Water-octanol partition coefficients for the Cu(II)-[H(2)(5555)-N] system indicated that although the Cu[H(2)(5555)-N]H(-1) species is largely hydrophilic, approximately 54% of the complex goes into the organic phase. This percentage is able to promote dermal absorption of copper with a calculated penetration rate of 1.92x10(-1)cmh(-1). This was confirmed by dermal absorption studies which illustrate the role of hydrophobicity in promoting percutaneous drug administration.

Chemical speciation of copper(II) diaminediamide derivative of pentacycloundecane--a potential anti-inflammatory agent

Formation constants of copper(ii), zinc(ii) and calcium(ii) with 3,5-diaminodiamido-4-oxahexacyclododecane (cageL) has been studied by glass electrode potentiometry at 25 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm(-3). Copper(ii) forms more stable complexes with cageL than zinc(ii) and calcium(ii). Metal ion complexation promotes deprotonation and coordination of the amide nitrogens resulting in overall tetragonal coordination of Cu(2+) suggested by the UV-visible electronic spectra. Speciation calculations using a blood plasma model suggest that zinc(ii) and calcium(ii) are good competitors of copper(ii) in vivo. Bio-distribution experiments using (64)Cu-labelled Cu(ii)-cageL show that about 50% dose of the complex is retained in the body after 24 h.

Solution chemistry of 1,15-bis(N,N-dimethyl)-5,11-dioxo-8-(N-benzyl)-1,4,8,12,15-pentaazapentadecane with metal ions of biological interest-Insights toward active metal ion containing therapeutics and diagnostic agents

The equilibrium constants of Cu(II), Zn(II), Ca(II) and Gd(III) with 1,15-bis(N,N-dimethyl)-5,11-dioxo-8-(N-benzyl)-1,4,8,12,15-pentaazapentadecane (La) have been studied at 25 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm-3. Copper forms more stable complexes with La than the other metal ions investigated. This is probably due to the ease with which Cu(II) deprotonates the nitrogen donor atoms of the amide groups. UV/Vis spectrophotometric data indicate tetradentate binding of the ligand towards copper in [CuLaH-1] and pentadentate binding in [CuLaH-2]. Octanol-water partition coefficients of Cu(II)-La complexes indicate that although these species are largely hydrophilic, approximately 5.62% of the [CuLaH-1] complex goes into the organic phase. This percentage may promote dermal absorption of copper with a calculated penetration rate of 3.75x10(-4) mm h-1. The [CuLaH-1] species which predominates at pH 7.4 is a poor mimic of native copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. Blood-plasma simulation studies predict that La is unable to increase the low molecular mass copper fraction in vivo. This has been confirmed by biodistribution patterns, which are similar to those of 64CuCl2.

Inclusion of the ligand field contribution in a polarizable molecular mechanics: SIBFA-LF

To account for the distortion of the coordination sphere that takes place in complexes containing open-shell metal cations such as Cu(II), we implemented, in sum of interactions between fragments ab initio computed (SIBFA) molecular mechanics, an additional contribution to take into account the ligand field splitting of the metal d orbitals. This term, based on the angular overlap model, has been parameterized for Cu(II) coordinated to oxygen and nitrogen ligands. The comparison of the results obtained from density functional theory computations on the one hand and SIBFA or SIBFA-LF on the other shows that SIBFA-LF gives geometric arrangements similar to those obtained from quantum mechanical computations. Moreover, the geometric improvement takes place without downgrading the energetic agreement obtained from SIBFA. The systems considered are Cu(II) interacting with six water molecules, four ammonia or four imidazoles, and four water plus two formate anions.

Dipeptides containing the alpha-aminoisobutyric residue (Aib) as ligands: preparation, spectroscopic studies and crystal structures of copper(II) complexes with H-Aib-X-OH (X=Gly, L-Leu, L-Phe)

Synthetic procedures are described that allow access to new copper(II) complexes with dipeptides containing the alpha-aminoisobutyric residue (Aib) as ligands. The solid complexes [Cu(H(-1)L(A))](n).nH(2)O (1) (L(A)H=H-Aib-Gly-OH), [Cu(H(-1)L(B))(MeOH)](n).nMeOH (2) (L(B)H=H-Aib-L-Leu-OH) and [Cu(H(-1)L(C))](n) (3) (L(C)H=H-Aib-L-Phe-OH) have been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, solid-state IR spectra and UV-Vis spectroscopy in solution (H(-1)L(2-) is the dianionic form of the corresponding dipeptide). Complexes 1 and 3 are three-dimensional coordination polymers with similar structures. The doubly deprotonated dipeptide behaves as a N(amino), N(peptide), O(carboxylate), O'(carboxylate), O(peptide) mu(3) ligand and binds to one Cu(II) atom at its amino and peptide nitrogens and at one carboxylate oxygen, to a second metal at the other carboxylate oxygen, while a third Cu(II) atom is attached to the peptide oxygen. The geometry around copper(II) is distorted square pyramidal with the peptide oxygen at the apex of the pyramid. The structure of 2 consists of zigzag polymeric chains, where the doubly deprotonated dipeptide behaves as a N(amino), N(peptide), O(carboxylate), O'(carboxylate) mu(2) ligand. The geometry at copper(II) is square pyramidal with the methanol oxygen at the apex. The IR data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and known structures. The UV-Vis spectra show that the solid-state structures of 1, 2 and 3 do not persist in H(2)O.