Drug design strategies with metal-hydroxyquinoline complexes

6-Hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline Demonstrates Neuroprotective Properties in Experimental Parkinson's Disease by Enhancing the Antioxidant System, Normalising Chaperone Activity and Suppressing Apoptosis

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, whereby disturbances within the antioxidant defence system, increased aggregation of proteins, and activation of neuronal apoptosis all have a crucial role in the pathogenesis. In this context, exploring the neuroprotective capabilities of compounds that sustain the effectiveness of cellular defence systems in neurodegenerative disorders is worthwhile. During this study, we assessed how 6-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (HTHQ), which has antioxidant properties, affects the functioning of the antioxidant system, the activity of NADPH-generating enzymes and chaperones, and the level of apoptotic processes in rats with rotenone-induced PD. Six groups of animals were formed for our experiment, each with 12 animals. These were: a control group, animals with rotenone-induced PD, rats with PD given HTHQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg, rats with PD given HTHQ at a dose of 25 mg/kg, animals with pathology who were administered a comparison drug rasagiline, and control animals who were administered HTHQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The study results indicate that administering HTHQ led to a significant decrease in oxidative stress in PD rats. The enhanced redox status in animal tissues was linked with the recovery of antioxidant enzyme activities and NADPH-generating enzyme function, as well as an upsurge in the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant genes and factors Nrf2 and Foxo1. Administering HTHQ to rats with PD normalized the chaperone-like activity and mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70. Rats treated with the compound displayed lower apoptosis intensity when compared to animals with pathology. Therefore, owing to its antioxidant properties, HTHQ demonstrated a beneficial impact on the antioxidant system, resulting in decreased requirements for chaperone activation and the inhibition of apoptosis processes triggered in PD. HTHQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg had a greater impact on the majority of the examined variables compared to rasagiline.

Synthesis, characterization, and cancer cell-selective cytotoxicity of mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes of 8-hydroxyquinolines and phenanthroline bases

Transition metal complexes exhibiting selective toxicity towards a broad range of cancer types are highly desirable as potential anticancer agents. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies of six new mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes of general formula [Co(B)2(L)](ClO4)2 (1-6), where B is a N,N-donor phenanthroline base, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1, 2), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 3, 4), and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 5, 6), and L is the monoanion of 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ in 1, 3, 5) and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline (CQ in 2, 4, 6). The X-ray single crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 as PF6- salts revealed a distorted octahedral CoN5O coordination environment. Complexes demonstrated good stability in an aqueous buffer medium and in the presence of ascorbic acid as a reductant. Cytotoxicity studies using a panel of nine cancer cell lines showed that complex 6, with the dppz and CQ ligands, was significantly toxic against most cancer cell types, yielding IC50 values in the range of 2 to 14 μM. Complexes 1, 3, and 5, containing the HQ ligand, displayed lower toxicity compared to their CQ counterparts. The phenanthroline complexes demonstrated marginal toxicity towards the tested cell lines, while the dpq complexes exhibited moderate toxicity. Interestingly, all complexes demonstrated negligible toxicity towards normal HEK-293 kidney cells (IC50 > 100 μM). The observed cytotoxicity of the complexes correlated well with their lipophilicities (dppz > dpq > phen). The cytotoxicity of complex 6 was comparable to that of the clinical drug cisplatin under similar conditions. Notably, neither the HQ nor the CQ ligands alone demonstrated noticeable toxicity against any of the tested cell lines. The Annexin-V-FITC and DCFDA assays revealed that the cell death mechanism induced by the complexes involved apoptosis, which could be attributed to the metal-assisted generation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, the dppz complex 6, with its remarkable cytotoxicity against a broad range of cancer cells and negligible toxicity toward normal cells, holds significant potential for cancer chemotherapeutic applications.

Co-Delivery of 8-Hydroxyquinoline Glycoconjugates and Doxorubicin by Supramolecular Hydrogel Based on α-Cyclodextrin and pH-Responsive Micelles for Enhanced Tumor Treatment

The sustained release of multiple anti-cancer drugs using a single delivery carrier to achieve a synergistic antitumor effect remains challenging in biomaterials and pharmaceutics science. In this study, a supramolecular hydrogel based on the host-guest complexes between pH-responsive micelle derived poly(ethylene glycol) chains and α-cyclodextrin was designed for codelivery of two kinds of anti-cancer agents, hydrophilic 8-hydroxyquinoline glycoconjugate and hydrophobic doxorubicin. The host-guest interactions were characterized using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The resultant supramolecular hydrogel showed thixotropic properties, which are advantageous to drug delivery systems. In vitro release studies revealed that the supramolecular hydrogel exhibited faster drug release profiles in acidic conditions. The MTT assay demonstrated a synergistic cancer cell proliferation inhibition of DOX/8HQ-Glu mixture. In vitro cytotoxicity studies indicated excellent biocompatibility of the supramolecular hydrogel matrix, whereas the DOX/8HQ-Glu-loaded supramolecular hydrogel showed a sustained inhibition efficacy against cancer cells. The codelivery of hydrophobic anti-cancer drugs and hydrophilic anti-cancer drug glycoconjugates via a pH-responsive supramolecular hydrogel opens up new possibilities for the development of an effective cancer treatment based on the tumor-specific Warburg effect.

A Novel Family of Cage-like (CuLi, CuNa, CuK)-phenylsilsesquioxane Complexes with 8-hydroxyquinoline Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity

The first examples of metallasilsesquioxane complexes, including ligands of the 8-hydroxyquinoline family 1–9, were synthesized, and their structures were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. Compounds 1–9 tend to form a type of sandwich-like cage of Cu₄M₂ nuclearity (M = Li, Na, K). Each complex includes two cisoid pentameric silsesquioxane ligands and two 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands. The latter coordinates the copper ions and corresponding alkaline metal ions (via the deprotonated oxygen site). A characteristic (size) of the alkaline metal ion and a variation of characteristics of nitrogen ligands (8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5,7-diiodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) are highly influential for the formation of the supramolecular structure of the complexes 3a, 5, and 7–9. The Cu₆Na₂-based compound 2 exhibits high catalytic activity towards the oxidation of (i) hydrocarbons by H₂O₂ activated with HNO₃, and (ii) alcohols by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Studies of kinetics and their selectivity has led us to conclude that it is the hydroxyl radicals that play a crucial role in this process.

Solution speciation and human serum protein binding of indium(III) complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline, deferiprone and maltol

Solution speciation and serum protein binding of selected In(III) complexes bearing O,O and O,N donor sets were studied to provide comparative data for In(III) and analogous Ga(III) complexes. Aqueous stability of the In(III) complexes of maltol, deferiprone, 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (HQS) was characterized by a combined pH-potentiometric and UV–visible spectrophotometric approach. Formation of mono, bis and tris-ligand complexes was observed. The tris-ligand complexes of HQ (InQ₃) and deferiprone (InD₃) are present in solution in ca. 90% at 10 µM concentration at pH = 7.4, while the tris-maltolato complex (InM₃) displays insufficient stability under these conditions. Binding towards human serum albumin (HSA) and (apo)transferrin ((apo)Tf) of InQ₃, InD₃ and InM₃ complexes and Ga(III) analogue of InQ₃ (GaQ₃) together with InCl₃ was investigated by a panel of methods: steady-state and time-resolved spectrofluorometry, UV–visible spectrophotometry and membrane ultrafiltration. Moderate binding of InQ₃ to HSA was found (log K′ = 5.0–5.1). InD₃ binds to HSA to a much lower extent in comparison to InQ₃. ApoTf is able to displace HQ, deferiprone and maltol effectively from their In(III) complexes. Protein binding of non-dissociated InQ₃ was also observed at high complex-to-apoTf ratios. Studies conducted with the InQ₃/GaQ₃ – HSA – Tf ternary systems revealed the more pronounced Tf binding of In(III) via ligand release, while the original GaQ₃ scaffold is preferably retained upon protein interactions and significant albumin binding occurs. Significant dissociation of InQ₃ was detected in human blood serum as well.

Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Potential Metabolites of Quinoline Glycoconjugates

The design of prodrugs is one of the important strategies for selective anti-cancer therapies. When designing prodrugs, attention is paid to the possibility of their targeting tumor-specific markers such as proteins responsible for glucose uptake. That is why glycoconjugation of biologically active compounds is a frequently used strategy. Glycoconjugates consisting of three basic building blocks: a sugar unit, a linker containing a 1,2,3-triazole ring, and an 8-hydroxyquinoline fragment was described earlier. It is not known whether their cytotoxicity is due to whole glycoconjugates action or their metabolites. To check the biological activity of products that can be released from glycoconjugates under the action of hydrolytic enzymes, the synthetically obtained potential metabolites were tested in vitro for the inhibition of proliferation of HCT-116, MCF-7, and NHDF-Neo cell lines using the MTT assay. Research shows that for the full activity of glycoconjugates, the presence of all three building blocks in the structure of a potential drug is necessary. For selected derivatives, additional tests of targeted drug delivery to tumor cells were carried out using polymer nanocarriers in which they are encapsulated. This approach significantly lowered the determined IC₅₀ values of the tested compounds and improved their selectivity and effectiveness.

2-(2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)furo[3,2-h]quinolin-3-yl)acetic Acid

A simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of the previously unknown 2-(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)furo[3,2-h]quinolin-3-yl)acetic acid was elaborated. The suggested method is based on the telescoped multicomponent reaction of 8-hydroxyquinoline, 4-methylglyoxal, and Meldrum’s acid. The studied process includes the initial interaction of the starting compounds in MeCN followed by intramolecular cyclization to the target product in refluxing acetic acid. The advantage of this approach is the application of readily available starting materials, atom economy, and a simple work-up procedure. The structure of the synthesized furylacetic acid derivative was proven by 1H, 13C, 2D-NMR, IR spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Ruthenium(II)–arene complexes with chelating quinoline ligands as anti-amyloid agents

Recent recognition of the soluble form of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide as a neurotoxic agent in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has spurred the development of agents to target this species. Because Aβ is known to chelate metal ions in solution, metal-based therapeutics are uniquely suited to exploit this affinity, where coordination to Aβ has been shown to impact the neurotoxicity of the peptide. Ruthenium(II)–arene complexes are unique candidates for evaluation, as one face of the molecule is blocked by the hydrophobic arene ring, while coordination to the Aβ peptide can occur on the other side of the molecule. We have prepared and evaluated two Ru(II)–arene complexes with chelating quinoline-based ligands, Ru1 and Ru2, for their respective anti-amyloid abilities. Although both complexes decreased the aggregation of soluble Aβ, Ru1 displayed promise in disrupting formed aggregates of the peptide. These findings represent an exciting new avenue for therapeutic development in AD, where both sides of the aggregation equilibrium are affected.

Inorganic radiopharmaceutical chemistry of oxine

8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ, oxine) is a small, monoprotic, bicyclic aromatic compound and its relative donor group orientation imparts impressive bidentate metal chelating abilities that have been exploited in a vast array of applications over decades. 8-HQ and its derivatives have been explored in medicinal applications including anti-neurodegeneration, anticancer properties, and antimicrobial activities. One long established use of 8-HQ in medicinal inorganic chemistry is the coordination of radioactive isotopes of metal ions in nuclear medicine. The metal-oxine complex with the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging isotope [¹¹¹In]In³⁺ was developed in the 1970s and 1980s to radiolabel leukocytes for inflammation and infection imaging. The [¹¹¹In][In(oxine)₃] complex functions as an ionophore: a moderately stable lipophilic complex to enter cells; however, inside the cell environment [¹¹¹In]In³⁺ undergoes exchange and remains localized. As new developments have progressed towards radiopharmaceuticals capable of both imaging and therapy (theranostics), 8-HQ has been re-explored in recent years to investigate its potential to chelate larger radiometal ions with longer half-lives and different indications. Further, metal-oxine complexes have been used to study liposomes and other nanomaterials by tracking these nanomedicines in vivo. Expanding 8-HQ to multidentate ligands for highly thermodynamically stable and kinetically inert complexes has increased the possibilities of this small molecule in nuclear medicine. This article outlines the historic use of metal-oxine complexes in inorganic radiopharmaceutical chemistry, with a focus on recent advances highlighting the possibilities of developing higher denticity, targeted bifunctional chelators with 8-HQ.

Labeling of Hinokitiol with 90Y for Potential Radionuclide Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver tumors, is the fifth cancer in the world in terms of incidence, and third in terms of mortality. Despite significant advances in the treatment of HCC, its prognosis remains bleak. Transarterial radioembolization with radiolabeled microspheres and Lipiodol has demonstrated significant effectiveness. Here we present a new, simple radiolabeling of Lipiodol with Yttrium-90, for the potential treatment of HCC.

8-Hydroxyquinoline Glycoconjugates Containing Sulfur at the Sugar Anomeric Position-Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of Their Cytotoxicity

One of the main factors limiting the effectiveness of many drugs is the difficulty of their delivery to their target site in the cell and achieving the desired therapeutic dose. Moreover, the accumulation of the drug in healthy tissue can lead to serious side effects. The way to improve the selectivity of a drug to the cancer cells seems to be its conjugation with a sugar molecule, which should facilitate its selective transport through GLUT transporters (glucose transporters), whose overexpression is seen in some types of cancer. This was the idea behind the synthesis of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) derivative glycoconjugates, for which 1-thiosugar derivatives were used as sugar moiety donors. It was expected that the introduction of a sulfur atom instead of an oxygen atom into the anomeric position of the sugar would increase the stability of the obtained glycoconjugates against untimely hydrolytic cleavage. The anticancer activity of new compounds was determined based on the results of the MTT cytotoxicity tests. Because of the assumption that the activity of this type of compounds was based on metal ion chelation, the effect of the addition of copper ions on cell proliferation was tested for some of them. It turned out that cancer cells treated with glycoconjugates in the presence of Cu2+ had a much slower growth rate compared to cells treated with free glycoconjugates in the absence of copper. The highest cytotoxic activity of the compounds was observed against the MCF-7 cell line.

Biodegradable pH-responsive micelles loaded with 8-hydroxyquinoline glycoconjugates for Warburg effect based tumor targeting

Biodegradable triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polycarbonate-b-oligo([R]-3-hydroxybutyrate) was prepared via metal-free ring-opening polymerization of ketal protected six-membered cyclic carbonate followed by esterification with bacterial oligo([R]-3-hydroxybutyrate) (oPHB). Amphiphilic triblock copolymer self-organizes into micelles with a diameter of ~25 nm. Acid-triggered hydrolysis of ketal groups to two hydroxyl groups causes an increase in hydrophilicity of the hydrophobic micelle core, resulting in the micelles swell and drug release. oPHB was added as core-forming block to increase the stability of prepared micelles in all pH (7.4, 6.4, 5.5) studied. Doxorubicin and 8-hydroxyquinoline glucose- and galactose conjugates were loaded in the micelles. In vitro drug release profiles in PBS buffers with different pH showed that a small amount of loaded drug was released in PBS at pH 7.4, while the drug was released much faster at pH 5.5. MTT assay showed that the blank micelles were non-toxic to different cell lines, while glycoconjugates-loaded micelles, showed significantly increased ability to inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells compared to free glycoconjugates. The glycoconjugation of anti-cancer drugs and pH-responsive nanocarriers have separately shown great potential to increase the tumor-targeted drug delivery efficiency. The combination of drug glycoconjugation and the use of pH-responsive nanocarrier opens up new possibilities to develop novel strategies for efficient tumor therapy.