Biological Activities of Bismuth Compounds: An Overview of the New Findings and the Old Challenges Not Yet Overcome

Bismuth-based drugs have been used primarily to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori and other gastrointestinal ailments. Combined with antibiotics, these drugs also possess synergistic activity, making them ideal for multiple therapy regimens and overcoming bacterial resistance. Compounds based on bismuth have a low cost, are safe for human use, and some of them are also effective against tumoral cells, leishmaniasis, fungi, and viruses. However, these compounds have limited bioavailability in physiological environments. As a result, there is a growing interest in developing new bismuth compounds and approaches to overcome this challenge. Considering the beneficial properties of bismuth and the importance of discovering new drugs, this review focused on the last decade's updates involving bismuth compounds, especially those with potent activity and low toxicity, desirable characteristics for developing new drugs. In addition, bismuth-based compounds with dual activity were also highlighted, as well as their modes of action and structure-activity relationship, among other relevant discoveries. In this way, we hope this review provides a fertile ground for rationalizing new bismuth-based drugs.

A bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate compound induced apoptosis via mitochondria-dependent pathway and suppressed invasion in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Interest in bismuth(III) dithiocarbamate complexes as potential drug candidates is increasing due to their low toxicity compared to other group 15 elements (pnictogen) of the periodic table. Bismuth dithiocarbamate compounds have been reported to induce greater cytotoxicity in various human carcinoma cancer cell lines. Using various in vitro cancer-related assays, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate, denoted as 1, against the MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and the effect on genes that may be involved in antiproliferation, apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, invasion and polyubiquitination functions. In general, 1 exhibited high cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells, with an IC₅₀ of 1.26 ± 0.02 µM, by inducing the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as ascertained by measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase activity, the amount of cytochrome c released and the extent of DNA fragmentation and by staining assays that reveal apoptotic cells. In addition, 1 significantly attenuated cell invasion and modulated several cancer-related genes, including PLK2, FIGF, FLT4, PARP4, and HDAC11, as determined via gene expression analysis. The NF-κB signaling pathway was inhibited by 1 upon the activation of Lys48- and Lys63-linked polyubiquitination, thus leading to its degradation via the proteasome. Overall, 1 has the potential to act as an antiproliferative agent and a proteasome inhibitor in estrogen-positive breast cancer.

Diorganotin(iv) benzyldithiocarbamate complexes: synthesis, characterization, and thermal and cytotoxicity study

Ammonium benzyldithiocarbamate, represented as NH4L, was prepared and used in the complexation reaction involving three organotin(iv) salts, represented as R2SnCl2 (R = CH3, C4H9, and C6H5). The structures of the synthesized complexes [(CH3)2SnL2] (1), [(C4H9)2SnL2] (2), and [(C6H5)2SnL2] (3) were established using various spectroscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and 119Sn NMR) and elemental analysis. Thermal decomposition of the complexes using thermogravimetric analysis under nitrogen showed no definite pathway in the pattern of the complexes even though they are structurally related. X-ray diffraction studies of the final residue showed a common diffraction pattern for the complexes and confirmed SnS as the product of the thermal treatment. Cytotoxicity studies of these complexes against the human tumor cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7) compared favorably with the used standard 5-fluorouracil drug, with complexes 2 and 3 showing very good activity toward the used cell lines.

Anti-proliferative and antitumor activity of organotin(IV) compounds. An overview of the last decade and future perspectives

Organotins(IV) exhibit significant in vitro anti-proliferative activity, while the in vivo tests are encouraging. The recent reports on the anti-proliferative activity of organotin(IV) compounds are summarized in this review. The period covered by this work goes back to 2009 until late 2018, while the earlier ones, are included over the previous review of our group published by S.K. Hadjikakou, N. Hadjiliadis, in Coord Chem Rev, 253 (2009) 235-249. During the last decade (2009-2018), >300 organotin(IV) derivatives with oxygen-donor ligands, such as carboxylic acids, amino-acids, Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), biological active derivatives or natural products, organotins(IV) with sulfur containing ligands such as thiones, thiosemicarbazones, dithiocarbamates, organotin(IV) compounds of oximes and organotins(IV) with amines or semicarbazones were screened for their anti-proliferative effect against various cancer cell lines and their results are included in numerous reports over this period. Although much work has been carried out on organotin(IV) derivatives with O-donor ligands, however significant fewer reports are found on organotins(IV) with oximes as ligands.

Triphenylstannyl((arylimino)methyl)benzoates with selective potency that induce G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest and trigger apoptosis via ROS in human cervical cancer cells

Metal complexes with organelle specificity and potent but selective cytotoxicity are highly desirable. A novel series of triphenylstannyl 4-((arylimino)methyl)benzoates (2-8) were obtained by the reactions of triphenylstannyl 4-formylbenzoate [Ph₃Sn(L¹)] 1 with primary aromatic amines. Two representative compounds (10, 11) were also synthesized by reacting aqua-triphenylstannyl 2-formylbenzoate [Ph₃Sn(L⁹)(H₂O)] (9) with aniline and p-fluoroaniline, respectively. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction for compounds 5, 7-11 and three pro-ligands. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of 1-11 were assessed using the MTT tetrazolium dye assay against HeLa (human cervical) and MDA-MB-231 (breast) cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values revealing high activity. Compared to cisplatin, compounds 1-11 exhibited enhanced cytotoxic efficacy, indicating their potential as potent anticancer agents. Among these, 1 and 5 demonstrated maximum inhibition in HeLa cells, with negligible effect on normal human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. The combined results of the DCFH-DA dye and Hoechst 33342/PI nuclear staining assays, along with flow cytometry analysis, show that they possess a dual mode of action: They induced apoptotic cell death, attributable to the tin-assisted generation of reactive oxygen species. Cell cycle analyses indicated that compounds 1 and 5 exhibit cell growth inhibition and may cause turbulences in the G1 and G2/M phases.

Unfolding biological properties of a versatile dicopper(II) precursor and its two mononuclear copper(II) derivatives

Synthesis, inter-conversions and biological study of the dichloro bridged dicopper(II) compound [CuLCl]₂ (1) and its two mononuclear derivatives [CuLCl(H₂O)]·H₂O (2) and [CuLCl(py)] (3) (HL=2-(2-pyridylmethyleneamino)benzenesulfonic acid) are described. The dimeric compound 1 collapses into monomers 2 and 3 in the presence of coordinating solvents, water and pyridine, respectively, and 1 is regenerated upon simple stirring of 2 or 3 in methanol. The reactions of 1 with neutral (present study) and charged (earlier studies) ligands result in monomeric and multimeric compounds, respectively, attesting that it is a versatile dicopper(II) precursor. The anticancer activity of these copper complexes (1-3) was screened against lung (A-549) and breast (MDA-MB-231) human cancer cell lines. The IC₅₀ (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value for one (3) of the compounds suggests preferential cytotoxicity against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line. Furthermore, the IC₅₀ value obtained for complex 3 is found to be almost two-fold times cytotoxic than the standard drug cisplatin. In addition, the underlying possible mechanism of its apoptosis-inducing efficacy in MDA-MB-231 cells has been rationalized by using flow cytometry (FACS) and Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence staining. The stimulation of apoptotic induction for complex 3 has further been affirmed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial aggregations studies.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of tetradentate ligands bearing hydrazone and/or thiosemicarbazone motifs and their diorganotin(IV) complexes

Four novel ligands derived from 2,3-butanedione have been synthesized, two dissymmetric thiosemicarbazone/3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazone ligands, H₂L¹ (bearing 4-isopropyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) and H₂L² (containing 4-cyclohexyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) and the symmetric H₂L³, diacetyl bis(3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazone), and H₂L⁴, diacetyl bis(4-cyclohexyl-3-thiosemicarbazone). Their reactivity with SnR₂Cl₂ (R=methyl, n-butyl and phenyl) was explored and the resulting complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, mass spectrometry, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and seven of them also by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the reactivity of the dissymmetric ligands is strongly different and while the cyclohexyl derivative is very stable, with isopropyl easily undergoes a symmetrization reaction to yield the corresponding symmetric ligands. The antimicrobial activity of the ligands and the corresponding diorganotin(IV) complexes was investigated in vitro against seven species of microorganisms and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined. The results showed that the ligand H₂L² and several of its derivatives, together with methyl and phenyl complexes of H₂L¹, have the ability of inhibiting the growth of tested bacteria and fungi to different extents. Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus Gram positive strains were the most sensitive microorganisms.

Sulfonated Schiff base Sn(IV) complexes as potential anticancer agents

Syntheses, crystal structures and biological activities of the diphenoxo-bridged diorgano dinuclear Sn(IV) compounds [Sn(Et)₂(HL)(H₂O)]₂ (1) and [Sn(n-Bu)₂(HL)(H₂O)]₂ (2) derived from the Schiff base 2-[(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)methylideneamino]benzenesulfonic acid trihydrate (H₃L·3H₂O) are described. The monoprotonated form (HL^2-) of the Schiff base behaves as O,O'-bidentate ligand, chelating the metal by the two phenoxo oxygen atoms. The hexacoordinated metal centres in 1 and 2 are bridged by a phenoxo oxygen and the remaining coordination positions are fulfilled by the other phenoxo oxygen, two organic groups (ethyl for 1 and n-butyl for 2) and a water molecule. A two dimensional zigzag sheet in 1 and three dimensional polymeric networks in H₃L·3H₂O and 2 are stabilized by a number of non-covalent, H-bonding and π⋯π stacking interactions. The DNA binding activities of these complexes have been studied by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Their antiproliferative efficacies have been evaluated on A-549, HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. IC₅₀ values (1.35±0.23, 2.43±0.54 and 1.74±0.04μM for 2) are indicative of a substantial cytotoxicity of 2, mainly towards the A-549 lung cancer cell line. The greater antiproliferative efficacy of 2has further been studied by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and nuclear morphology by Hoechst/propidium iodide (PI) double staining method. The possible mode of the apoptotic pathway for 2has been substantiated by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation studies.

A sulfonated Schiff base dimethyltin(iv) coordination polymer: synthesis, characterization and application as a catalyst for ultrasound- or microwave-assisted Baeyer–Villiger oxidation under solvent-free conditions

The sulfonated Schiff base dimethyltin(iv) coordination polymer is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the peroxidative Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketones, under ultrasound or microwave irradiation and solvent- and additive-free conditions.