Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, thermal behavior and evaluation as anin vitrocytotoxic agent of a tin(IV) complex containing dipicolinic acid

Unveiling the promising anticancer effect of copper-based compounds: a comprehensive review

Copper is a necessary micronutrient for maintaining the well-being of the human body. The biological activity of organic ligands, especially their anticancer activity, is often enhanced when they coordinate with copper(I) and (II) ions. Copper and its compounds are capable of inducing tumor cell death through various mechanisms of action, including activation of apoptosis signaling pathways by reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of angiogenesis, induction of cuproptosis, and paraptosis. Some of the copper complexes are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for their ability to map tumor hypoxia in various cancers, including locally advanced rectal cancer and bulky tumors. Several studies have shown that copper nanoparticles can be used as effective agents in chemodynamic therapy, phototherapy, hyperthermia, and immunotherapy. Despite the promising anticancer activity of copper-based compounds, their use in clinical trials is subject to certain limitations. Elevated copper concentrations may promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis by affecting cellular processes.

Effect of the extra-nuclear cation on the cytotoxicity and mechanism of action of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate Ga(III) complexes

Two Ga(III) complexes (C1) and (C2) were prepared by the one-pot reaction of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and aminopyridine derivatives with gallium(III) nitrate octahydrate. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The distorted octahedral geometry was confirmed by crystallographic data for both complexes. The study of the in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds showed that the presence of different extra-nuclear cations can affect the cytotoxicity of the same anionic complexes. The most significant antiproliferative activity was observed for C1 (IC50 = 0.69 μM, MAE = 73.96%) and C2 (IC50 = 3.78 μM, MAE = 60.35%) (where MAE represents the maximal antiproliferative effect) against A431 cell line. The mechanistic study evidenced the same pathway for the death of A431 cells treated with the complexes, although the results for C2 were obtained at approximately five times the concentration of C1. According to the study, both complexes induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase in A431 cells by upregulating the levels of p21, p27, p-cdc25C, and p-cdc2 and downregulating the levels of cdc25C, cdc2, and cyclin B1. In addition, apoptosis via a caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway was confirmed by a decrease in Bcl-2 family proteins and an increase in the expression of procaspase-9 and 3. Also, the complexes induced autophagic cell death by activating the RAGE /PI3KC3/Beclin 1 pathway in A431 cells. DATA AVAILABILITY: CCDC 874052 and 874055 contain the supplementary crystallographic data for C1 and C2, respectively. These data can be obtained free of charge via http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structures?pid=ccdc:874052,874055&sid=CCDCManual, or from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, UK; fax: (+44) 1223-336-033; or e-mail: deposit@ccdc.cam.ac.uk.

Anticancer Behavior of Pyrrolidine-Based Palladium(II) Complexes and Biophysical Approach on Their DNA, BSA Binding Activity, Molecular Docking, and DFT Study

A series of pyrrolidine-based Pd(II) complexes, [Pd(AEP)Cl2] (C-1), [Pd(AEP)(OH2)2]2+(C-2), [Pd(AEP)(L-cys)]+ (C-3), [Pd(AEP)(N-ac-L-cys)] (C-4), [Pd(AEP)(GSH)] (C-5), and [Pd(AEP)(DL-meth)]2+ (C-6) (where, AEP = 1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidine, L-cys = l-cysteine, N-ac-L-cys = N-acetyl-l-cysteine, GSH = glutathione, and DL-meth = dl-methionine), as anticancer drug candidates have been synthesized and characterized. The DNA binding property of the complexes was executed by gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometric and viscometric methods, and their interaction with BSA was also investigated by various spectroscopic methodologies. The binding activity of the Pd(II) complexes with DNA and BSA were assessed to evaluate their binding mode and binding constants. Molecular docking was performed to correlate with the experimental results on the interaction of the complexes with DNA and BSA. The changes in the microenvironmental and structural properties of BSA are monitored by a synchronous and 3D fluorescence study. The structural properties were evaluated by DFT and TD-DFT studies. The anticarcinogenic activity of the Pd(II) complexes was assessed by PASS prediction software to corroborate with the experimental results of the anticancer activity of the complexes. The ROS generation in cancer cell lines has been investigated, and the cell death mechanism through apoptosis was confirmed by measuring the protein expression. All these complexes have excellent anticancer activity compared to ancillary ligands. The cancer cell line (HCT116) shows almost similar or better cell inhibition activity when treated with the Pd(II) complexes compared to cisplatin, whereas the adverse effect is minimum on a normal cell (NKE). Both the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes carrying the same ligands reveal almost similar antiproliferative activity.

Novel Tl(III) complexes containing pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate derivatives with selective anticancer activity through inducing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in A375 cells

Three novel Tl(III) complexes (C1), (C2) and (C3) were synthesized using the one-pot reactions of pyridine dicarboxylic acid derivatives, 2-aminobenzimidazole and/or 4-aminopyridine, and also thallium(III) nitrate trihydrate metal salt. The structure of all three complexes was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. C1 and C2 were realized to be isostructural with disordered square anti-prismatic geometry and for C3 arrangement of the distorted tricapped triangular prism was proposed. Cyclic voltammetry measurements on the complexes exhibited that formal potential values are more positive for C1 (E⁰' 0.109 V) and C3 (E⁰' 0.244 V) compared to C2 (E⁰' -0.051 V), versus Ag/AgCl under argon. Moreover, cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated in vitro against two cancer cell lines including a human melanoma (A375), a human colon adenocarcinoma (HT29), and also one normal cell human foreskin fibroblast (HFF). The selective and potent cytotoxicity effect was exhibited by C1 and C3 on cancer cell lines. The apoptosis through a caspase-dependent mitochondrion pathway was confirmed by ROS production, MMP reduction, p53 activation, Bax up-regulation, and Bcl-2 down-regulation, cytochrome c release, procaspase-9, and 3 expression, for A375 cells treated to C1 and C3. According to similar cellular uptake of the complexes in A375 cell line, the generation of ROS was considered as an effective agent to justify the inhibition effect C1 and C3 on mentioned cells. Furthermore, arresting the cell cycle in the G2-M phase and inducing apoptosis were indicated by these two complexes.