Synthesis and characterization of copper–based anticancer compound; in vitro interaction studies with DNA/HSA, SOD mimetic, cytotoxic activity and molecular docking investigation

A novel water-soluble Cu(II) gluconate complex inhibits cancer cell growth by triggering apoptosis and ferroptosis related mechanisms

Metal copper complexes have attracted extensive attention as potential alternatives to platinum-based anticancer drugs due to their possible different modes of action. Herein, a new copper(II) gluconate complex, namely [Cu(DPQ)(Gluc)]·2H₂O (CuGluc, DPQ = pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline), with good water-solubility and high anticancer activity was synthesized by using D-gluconic acid (Gluc-2H) as an auxiliary ligand. The complex was well characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, molar conductivity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The DNA-binding experiments revealed that CuGluc was bound to DNA by intercalation with end-stacking binding. CuGluc could oxidatively cleave DNA, in which ¹O₂ and H₂O₂ were involved. In addition, CuGluc was bound to the IIA subdomain of human serum albumin (HSA) through hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding, showing a good affinity for HSA. The complex showed superior anticancer activity toward several cancer cells than cisplatin in vitro. Further studies indicated that CuGluc caused apoptotic cell death in human liver cancer (HepG2) cells through elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell cycle arrest, and caspase activation. Interestingly, CuGluc also triggered the ferroptosis mechanism through lipid peroxide accumulation and inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity. More importantly, CuGluc significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo, which may benefit from the combined effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis. This work provides a promising strategy to develop highly effective antitumor copper complexes by coordinating with the glucose metabolite D-gluconic acid and exploiting the synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis mechanisms.

In vitro DNA binding, pBR322 cleavage and molecular docking studies of 1,2-diaminobenzene, dichloro glycyl glycinate tin(IV) and zirconium(IV) complexes

De novo design and synthesis of complexes 1,2-diaminobenzene, dichloro glycyl glycinate tin(IV) and zirconium(IV), 1 and 2 as molecular drug entities were carried out. The structure elucidation of 1 and 2 was done by analytical techniques and spectroscopic methods viz. IR, UV-vis, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, ESI-Mass and XRD techniques. In vitro DNA binding studies of 1 and 2 by various biophysical techniques viz electronic absorption, emission spectroscopy and circular dichroism measurements were carried out to evaluate their potential to act as chemotherapeutic candidates; furthermore, cleavage studies with pBR322plasmid DNA and computer-aided molecular docking studies were also done to study the mechanistic pathway and mode of binding at the molecular level. The observed results revealed that complex 1 exhibited greater DNA binding propensity in contrast to complex 2 primarily via electrostatic binding mode. The pBR322 DNA cleavage studies of both the complexes revealed the hydrolytic cleavage mechanism and DNA minor groove binding, which was ascertained by molecular docking studies of the drug candidate. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Methanolic Extract of Justicia adhatoda Leaves with Special Emphasis on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line

Natural products are being targeted as alternative anticancer agents due to their non-toxic and safe nature. The present study was conducted to explore the in vitro anticancer potential of Justicia adhatoda (J. adhatoda) leaf extract. The methanolic leaf extract was prepared, and the phytochemicals and antioxidant potential were determined by LCMS analysis and DPPH radical scavenging assay, respectively. A docking study performed with five major alkaloidal phytoconstituents showed that they had a good binding affinity towards the active site of NF-κB. Cell viability assay was carried out in five different cell lines, and the extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity in MCF-7, a breast cancer cell line. Extract-treated cells showed a significant increase in nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Cell cycle analysis showed an arrest in cell growth at the Sub-G0 phase. The extract successfully inhibited cell migration and colony formation and altered mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were also found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of apoptotic cells was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. The expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and cleaved-PARP were increased in extract-treated cells. An increase in the expression of NF-κB was found in the cytoplasm in extract-treated cells. J. adhatoda leaf extract showed a potential anticancer effect in MCF-7 cells.

Complexation of uranyl (UO2)2+ with bidentate ligands: XRD, spectroscopic, computational, and biological studies

Three new uranyl complexes [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(CMZ)], [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(MP)] and [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(SCZ)] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, powder XRD analysis, and molar conductivity. The IR analysis confirmed binding to the metal ion by the sulfur and ethoxy oxygen atoms in the carbimazole (CMZ) ligand, while in the 6-mercaptopurine (MP) ligand, the sulfur and the N7 nitrogen atom of a purine coordinated binding to the metal ion. The third ligand showed a 1:1 molar ratio and bound via sulfonamide oxygen and the nitrogen of the pyrimidine ring. Analysis of the synthesized complexes also showed that acetate groups had monodentate binding to the (UO₂²⁺). Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level showed similar structures to the experimental results. Theoretical quantum parameters predicted the reactivity of the complexes in the order, [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(SCZ)] > [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(MP)]> [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(CMZ)]. DNA binding studies revealed that [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(SCZ)] and [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(CMZ)] have the highest binding constant (K_b) among the uranyl complexes. Additionally, strong binding of the MP and CMZ metal complexes to human serum albumin (HSA) were observed by both absorbance and fluorescence approaches. The antibacterial activity of the complexes was also evaluated against four bacterial strains: two gram-negative; Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, and two gram-positive; Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(MP)] had the greatest antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia, the gram-positive bacteria, with even higher activity than the standard antibiotic. In vitro cytotoxicity tests were also performed against three human cancer lines, and revealed the most cytotoxic complexes to be [(UO₂)(OAc)₂(SCZ)], which showed moderate activity against a colon cancer cell line. Thus, uranyl addition enhances the antibacterial and anticancer properties of the free ligands.

Antitumoral synergism between a copper(II) complex and cisplatin improves in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity against melanoma, lung and breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Intrinsic resistance of cancer cells is a major concern for the success of chemotherapy, and this undesirable feature stimulates further research into the design of new compounds and/or alternative multiple drug chemotherapy protocols.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated the antitumoral potential of the coordination compounds [Cu(HPClNOL)Cl]Cl (1), [Fe(HPClNOL)Cl₂]NO₃(2) and [Mn(HPClNOL)Cl₂] (3). Using the human, MCF-7 and A549, and the murine melanoma, B16-F10, cell lines, we determined the cytotoxicity, DCFH oxidation, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), Sub-G1 and TUNEL positive cells, and caspase 8 and 9 activities. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) and xenograft models were also assessed to evaluate the efficacy of antitumoral potential.

RESULTS

We observed that only complex 1 was cytotoxic. The treatment of cancer cells with complex 1 triggered ROS generation and promoted the disruption of ΔΨm. Complex 1 increased the number of Sub-G1 and TUNEL positive cells, and the measurement of caspase 8 and 9 activity confirmed that apoptosis was triggered by the intrinsic pathway. FIC demonstrated that the combination of complex 1 with cisplatin was additive for the A549 cells whilst it was synergic for MCF-7 and B16-F10. Treatment with complex 1, either alone or combined with cisplatin, reduced tumor growth on xenograft models.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study brings new clues regarding the mechanism of action of [Cu(HPClNOL)Cl]Cl, either alone or in combination with cisplatin.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

These results indicate that complex 1, administered either singly or in combination with current drugs, has real potential for use in cancer therapy.