1
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D'Amato A, Iacopetta D, Ceramella J, Troiano R, Mariconda A, Catalano A, Marra M, Saturnino C, Rosano C, Sinicropi MS, Longo P. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of multitarget hybrid molecules containing NHC-Au(I) complexes and carbazole moieties. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116757. [PMID: 39142149 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) represent suitable ligands for rapid and efficient drug design, because they offer the advantage of being easily chemically modified and can bind several substituents, including transition metals as, for instance, gold derivatives. Gold-NHC complexes possess various biological activities and were demonstrated good candidates as anticancer drugs. Besides, carbazole derivatives are characterized by various pharmacological properties, such as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-psychotropic. Amongst the latter, N-thioalkyl carbazoles were proved to inhibit cancer cells damaging the nuclear DNA, through the inhibition of human topoisomerases. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of nine new hybrid molecules in which NHC-Au(I) complexes and N-alkylthiolated carbazoles are linked together, in order to obtain novel biological multitarget agents. We demonstrated that the lead hybrid complexes possess anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, with a high potential as useful tools for treating distinct aspects of several diseases, amongst them cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D'Amato
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - D Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, I-87036, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - J Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, I-87036, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - R Troiano
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - A Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, I-85100, Potenza, Italy.
| | - A Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - M Marra
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, I-87036, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - C Saturnino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, I-85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - C Rosano
- U.O. Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - M S Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, I-87036, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - P Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
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2
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Iacopetta D, Ceramella J, Scumaci D, Catalano A, Sinicropi MS, Tundis R, Alcaro S, Borges F. An Update on Recent Studies Focusing on the Antioxidant Properties of Salvia Species. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2106. [PMID: 38136225 PMCID: PMC10740915 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12122106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrition has crucial effects and a significant role in disease prevention. Recently, nutraceuticals have attracted much attention in scientific research due to their pleiotropic effects and relatively non-toxic behavior. Among the biological effects displayed by plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anticholinesterase, sage is well known for its antioxidant properties and is a rich source of numerous compounds that are biologically active, amongst them polyphenols, with more than 160 types identified. In this review we summarized some of the significant studies published in the last decade reporting the most employed extraction methods and the different assays that are useful for establishing the antioxidant properties of some sage species. Even though the scientific literature contains plenty of data regarding the antioxidant properties of many sage species, further studies are needed in order to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action and the compounds responsible for their antioxidant activity. Finally, it should be taken into account that the data on the antioxidant properties of sage extracts are often difficult to compare with each other, since a series of variables in the extraction procedures, the type of assay used, and standardization may affect the final result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (R.T.)
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (R.T.)
| | - Domenica Scumaci
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, “S Venuta” Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- Research Center on Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, “S Venuta” Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (R.T.)
| | - Rosa Tundis
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (R.T.)
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- Net4Science SRL, Academic Spinoff, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Associazione CRISEA-Centro di Ricerca e Servizi Avanzati per l’Innovazione Rurale, Loc. Condoleo, 88055 Belcastro, Italy
| | - Fernanda Borges
- CIQUP-IMS/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal;
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3
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Iacopetta D, Costabile C, La Chimia M, Mariconda A, Ceramella J, Scumaci D, Catalano A, Rosano C, Cuda G, Sinicropi MS, Longo P. NHC-Ag(I) and NHC-Au(I) Complexes with N-Boc-Protected α-Amino Acidate Counterions Powerfully Affect the Growth of MDA-MB-231 Cells. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1567-1575. [PMID: 37974945 PMCID: PMC10641922 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metal complexes are attracting scientists' interest as an alluring class of metallodrugs. Indeed, the versatile functionalization of NHC ligands makes them optimal scaffolds to be developed in medicinal chemistry. Besides, amino acids are great biological ligands for metals, such as silver and gold, even though their use is still under-investigated. Aiming to shed light on the anticancer properties of this kind of complex, we investigated a series of silver and gold complexes, stabilized by NHC ligands and bearing carboxylate salts of tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)-N-protected glycine and l-phenylalanine as anionic ligands. The most active complexes, AuM1Gly and AuM1Phe, powerfully affect the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. Further studies demonstrated the blockade of the human topoisomerase I activity and actin polymerization reaction at 0.001 μM. These unique features make these complexes very interesting and worthy to be used for future in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Iacopetta
- Department
of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Chiara Costabile
- Department
of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Marina La Chimia
- Laboratory
of Proteomics, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, S Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Research
Center on Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, S Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department
of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano
10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department
of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Domenica Scumaci
- Laboratory
of Proteomics, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, S Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Research
Center on Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, S Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department
of Pharmacy−Drug Sciences, University
of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Camillo Rosano
- U.O.
Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCCS
Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cuda
- Laboratory
of Proteomics, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, S Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Research
Center on Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, S Venuta University Campus, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department
of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department
of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
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de Andrade Querino AL, de Sousa AM, Thomas SR, de Lima GM, Dittz D, Casini A, do Monte-Neto RL, Silva H. Organogold(III)-dithiocarbamate compounds and their coordination analogues as anti-tumor and anti-leishmanial metallodrugs. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 247:112346. [PMID: 37536162 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The limited chemical stability of gold(III)-based compounds in physiological environment has been a challenge in drug discovery, and organometallic chemistry might provide the solution to overcome this issue. In this work, four novel cationic organogold(III)-dithiocarbamate complexes of general structure [(C^N)AuIIIDTC]PF6 (C1a - C4a, DTC = dithiocarbamate, L1 - L4, C^N = 2-anilinopyridine) are presented, and compared to their coordination gold(III)-dithiocarbamate analogues [AuIIIDTCCl2] (C1b - C4b), as potential anti-cancer and anti-leishmanial drugs. Most of the complexes effectively inhibited cancer cell growth, notably C3a presented anti-proliferative effect in the nanomolar range against breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with moderate selectivity. Pro-apoptotic studies on treated MCF-7 cells showed a high population of cells in early apoptosis. Reactivity studies of C3a towards model thiols (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) refer to a possible mode of action involving bonding between the organogold(III)-core and the thiolate. In the scope of neglected diseases, gold complexes are emerging as promising therapeutic alternatives against leishmaniasis. In this regard, all gold(III)-dithiocarbamate complexes presented anti-leishmanial activity against at least one Leishmania species. Complexes C1a, C4a, C1b, C4b were active against all tested parasites with IC50 values varying between 0.12 and 42 μM, and, overall, organometallic compounds presented more intriguing inhibition profiles. For C4a selectivity over 500-fold for L. braziliensis; even higher than the reference anti-leishmanial drug amphotericin B. Overall, our findings revealed that the organogold(III) moiety significantly amplified the anti-cancer and anti-leishmanial effects with respect to the coordination analogues; thus, showing the great potential of organometallic chemistry in metallodrug-based chemotherapy for cancer and leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luiza de Andrade Querino
- Laboratório de Síntese e Interações Bioinorgânicas (SibLab), Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Chair of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching b. Munich, Germany.
| | - Alessandra Mara de Sousa
- RdM Lab - Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens Research Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sophie R Thomas
- Chair of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching b. Munich, Germany
| | - Geraldo Magela de Lima
- Laboratório de Síntese e Interações Bioinorgânicas (SibLab), Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Dalton Dittz
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Angela Casini
- Chair of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching b. Munich, Germany
| | - Rubens Lima do Monte-Neto
- RdM Lab - Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens Research Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Heveline Silva
- Laboratório de Síntese e Interações Bioinorgânicas (SibLab), Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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5
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Borutzki Y, Skos L, Gerner C, Meier‐Menches SM. Exploring the Potential of Metal-Based Candidate Drugs as Modulators of the Cytoskeleton. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300178. [PMID: 37345897 PMCID: PMC10946712 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
During recent years, accumulating evidence suggested that metal-based candidate drugs are promising modulators of cytoskeletal and cytoskeleton-associated proteins. This was substantiated by the identification and validation of actin, vimentin and plectin as targets of distinct ruthenium(II)- and platinum(II)-based modulators. Despite this, structural information about molecular interaction is scarcely available. Here, we compile the scattered reports about metal-based candidate molecules that influence the cytoskeleton, its associated proteins and explore their potential to interfere in cancer-related processes, including proliferation, invasion and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Advances in this field depend crucially on determining binding sites and on gaining comprehensive insight into molecular drug-target interactions. These are key steps towards establishing yet elusive structure-activity relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Borutzki
- Institute of Inorganic ChemistryFaculty of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
- Department of Analytical ChemistryFaculty of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
- Doctoral School of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
| | - Lukas Skos
- Department of Analytical ChemistryFaculty of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
- Doctoral School of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Department of Analytical ChemistryFaculty of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
- Joint Metabolome FacilityUniversity of Vienna and Medical University Vienna1090ViennaAustria
| | - Samuel M. Meier‐Menches
- Institute of Inorganic ChemistryFaculty of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
- Department of Analytical ChemistryFaculty of ChemistryUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
- Joint Metabolome FacilityUniversity of Vienna and Medical University Vienna1090ViennaAustria
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Sinicropi MS, Ceramella J, Vanelle P, Iacopetta D, Rosano C, Khoumeri O, Abdelmohsen S, Abdelhady W, El-Kashef H. Novel Thiazolidine-2,4-dione-trimethoxybenzene-thiazole Hybrids as Human Topoisomerases Inhibitors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:946. [PMID: 37513858 PMCID: PMC10384675 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease and is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, mostly as the population ages. Despite the encouraging advances made over the years in chemotherapy, the development of new compounds for cancer treatments is an urgent priority. In recent years, the design and chemical synthesis of several innovative hybrid molecules, which bring different pharmacophores on the same scaffold, have attracted the interest of many researchers. Following this strategy, we designed and synthetized a series of new hybrid compounds that contain three pharmacophores, namely trimethoxybenzene, thiazolidinedione and thiazole, and tested their anticancer properties on two breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) cell lines and one melanoma (A2058) cell line. The most active compounds were particularly effective against the MCF-7 cells and did not affect the viability of the normal MCF-10A cells. Docking simulations indicated the human Topoisomerases I and II (hTopos I and II) as possible targets of these compounds, the inhibitory activity of which was demonstrated by the mean of direct enzymatic assays. Particularly, compound 7e was proved to inhibit both the hTopo I and II, whereas compounds 7c,d blocked only the hTopo II. Finally, compound 7e was responsible for MCF-7 cell death by apoptosis. The reported results are promising for the further design and synthesis of other analogues potentially active as anticancer tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Patrice Vanelle
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Equipe Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, CS30064, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Camillo Rosano
- U.O. Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Omar Khoumeri
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Equipe Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, CS30064, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Shawkat Abdelmohsen
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt
| | - Wafaa Abdelhady
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt
| | - Hussein El-Kashef
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, New Assiut 71684, Egypt
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Ciardulli MC, Mariconda A, Sirignano M, Lamparelli EP, Longo R, Scala P, D'Auria R, Santoro A, Guadagno L, Della Porta G, Longo P. Activity and Selectivity of Novel Chemical Metallic Complexes with Potential Anticancer Effects on Melanoma Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:4851. [PMID: 37375406 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human malignant melanoma cells from lymph node metastatic site (MeWo) were selected for testing several synthesized and purified silver(I) and gold(I) complexes stabilized by unsymmetrically substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, called L20 (N-methyl, N'-[2-hydroxy ethylphenyl]imidazol-2-ylide) and M1 (4,5-dichloro, N-methyl, N'-[2-hydroxy ethylphenyl]imidazol-2-ylide), having halogenide (Cl- or I-) or aminoacyl (Gly=N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)glycinate or Phe=(S)-N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)phenylalaninate) counterion. For AgL20, AuL20, AgM1 and AuM1, the Half-Maximal Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) values were measured, and all complexes seemed to reduce cell viability more effectively than Cisplatin, selected as control. The complex named AuM1 was the most active just after 8 h of treatment at 5 μM, identified as effective growth inhibition concentration. AuM1 also showed a linear dose and time-dependent effect. Moreover, AuM1 and AgM1 modified the phosphorylation levels of proteins associated with DNA lesions (H2AX) and cell cycle progression (ERK). Further screening of complex aminoacyl derivatives indicated that the most powerful were those indicated with the acronyms: GlyAg, PheAg, AgL20Gly, AgM1Gly, AuM1Gly, AgL20Phe, AgM1Phe, AuM1Phe. Indeed, the presence of Boc-Glycine (Gly) and Boc-L-Phenylalanine (Phe) showed an improved efficacy of Ag main complexes, as well as that of AuM1 derivatives. Selectivity was further checked on a non-cancerous cell line, a spontaneously transformed aneuploid immortal keratinocyte from adult human skin (HaCaT). In such a case, AuM1 and PheAg complexes resulted as the most selective allowing HaCaT viability at 70 and 40%, respectively, after 48 h of treatment at 5 μM. The same complexes tested on 3D MeWo static culture induced partial spheroid disaggregation after 24 h of culture, with almost half of the cells dead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camilla Ciardulli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Marco Sirignano
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Erwin Pavel Lamparelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Raffaele Longo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Scala
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Raffaella D'Auria
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Antonietta Santoro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Interdepartment Centre BIONAM, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Liberata Guadagno
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Giovanna Della Porta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Interdepartment Centre BIONAM, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
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8
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Di Leo R, Cuffaro D, Rossello A, Nuti E. Bacterial Zinc Metalloenzyme Inhibitors: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28114378. [PMID: 37298854 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28114378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human deaths caused by Gram-negative bacteria keep rising due to the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomenon. Therefore, it is a priority to develop novel antibiotics with different mechanisms of action. Several bacterial zinc metalloenzymes are becoming attractive targets since they do not show any similarities with the human endogenous zinc-metalloproteinases. In the last decades, there has been an increasing interest from both industry and academia in developing new inhibitors against those enzymes involved in lipid A biosynthesis, and bacteria nutrition and sporulation, e.g., UDP-[3-O-(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-N-acetylglucosamine deacetylase (LpxC), thermolysin (TLN), and pseudolysin (PLN). Nevertheless, targeting these bacterial enzymes is harder than expected and the lack of good clinical candidates suggests that more effort is needed. This review gives an overview of bacterial zinc metalloenzyme inhibitors that have been synthesized so far, highlighting the structural features essential for inhibitory activity and the structure-activity relationships. Our discussion may stimulate and help further studies on bacterial zinc metalloenzyme inhibitors as possible novel antibacterial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Di Leo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Doretta Cuffaro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Armando Rossello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Nuti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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9
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Ceramella J, Troiano R, Iacopetta D, Mariconda A, Pellegrino M, Catalano A, Saturnino C, Aquaro S, Sinicropi MS, Longo P. Synthesis of Novel N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Ruthenium (II) Complexes, “Precious” Tools with Antibacterial, Anticancer and Antioxidant Properties. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12040693. [PMID: 37107055 PMCID: PMC10135378 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12040693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene (Ru-NHC) complexes show interesting physico-chemical properties as catalysts and potential in medicinal chemistry, exhibiting multiple biological activities, among them anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Herein, we designed and synthesized a new series of Ru-NHC complexes and evaluated their biological activities as anticancer, antibacterial, and antioxidant agents. Among the newly synthesized complexes, RANHC-V and RANHC-VI are the most active against triple-negative human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231. These compounds were selective in vitro inhibitors of the human topoisomerase I activity and triggered cell death by apoptosis. Furthermore, the Ru-NHC complexes’ antimicrobial activity was studied against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, revealing that all the complexes possessed the best antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, at a concentration of 25 µg/mL. Finally, the antioxidant effect was assessed by DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging assays, resulting in a higher ability for inhibiting the ABTS•+, with respect to the well-known antioxidant Trolox. Thus, this work provides encouraging insights for further development of novel Ru-NHC complexes as potent chemotherapeutic agents endowed with multiple biological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Rubina Troiano
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Michele Pellegrino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Carmela Saturnino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Stefano Aquaro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
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Ceramella J, Iacopetta D, Caruso A, Mariconda A, Petrou A, Geronikaki A, Rosano C, Saturnino C, Catalano A, Longo P, Sinicropi MS. 5,8-Dimethyl-9H-carbazole Derivatives Blocking hTopo I Activity and Actin Dynamics. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030353. [PMID: 36986453 PMCID: PMC10051477 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, carbazoles have been largely studied for their numerous biological properties, including antibacterial, antimalarial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anticancer, and many more. Some of them have gained great interest for their anticancer activity in breast cancer due to their capability in inhibiting essential DNA-dependent enzymes, namely topoisomerases I and II. With this in mind, we studied the anticancer activity of a series of carbazole derivatives against two breast cancer cell lines, namely the triple negative MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Compounds 3 and 4 were found to be the most active towards the MDA-MB-231 cell line without interfering with the normal counterpart. Using docking simulations, we assessed the ability of these carbazole derivatives to bind human topoisomerases I and II and actin. In vitro specific assays confirmed that the lead compounds selectively inhibited the human topoisomerase I and interfered with the normal organization of the actin system, triggering apoptosis as a final effect. Thus, compounds 3 and 4 are strong candidates for further drug development in multi-targeted therapy for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer, for which safe therapeutic regimens are not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0984-493200
| | - Anna Caruso
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | | | - Anthi Petrou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athina Geronikaki
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Camillo Rosano
- U.O. Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 1632 Genova, Italy
| | - Carmela Saturnino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
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Biological Activities of Ruthenium NHC Complexes: An Update. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020365. [PMID: 36830276 PMCID: PMC9952499 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes have unique physico-chemical properties as catalysts and a huge potential in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, exhibiting a variety of notable biological activities. In this review, the most recent studies on ruthenium NHC complexes are summarized, focusing specifically on antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities. Ruthenium NHC complexes are generally active against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Listeria monocytogenes and are seldom active against Gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli and fungal strains of Candida albicans. The antiproliferative activity was tested against cancer cell lines of human colon, breast, cervix, epidermis, liver and rat glioblastoma cell lines. Ruthenium NHC complexes generally demonstrated cytotoxicity higher than standard anticancer drugs. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism of action of these interesting compounds.
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Longo R, Raimondo M, Vertuccio L, Ciardulli MC, Sirignano M, Mariconda A, Della Porta G, Guadagno L. Bottom-Up Strategy to Forecast the Drug Location and Release Kinetics in Antitumoral Electrospun Drug Delivery Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021507. [PMID: 36675021 PMCID: PMC9861055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrospun systems are becoming promising devices usable for topical treatments. They are eligible to deliver different therapies, from anti-inflammatory to antitumoral. In the current research, polycaprolactone electrospun membranes loaded with synthetic and commercial antitumoral active substances were produced, underlining how the matrix-filler affinity is a crucial parameter for designing drug delivery devices. Nanofibrous membranes loaded with different percentages of Dacarbazine (the drug of choice for melanoma) and a synthetic derivative of Dacarbazine were produced and compared to membranes loaded with AuM1, a highly active Au-complex with low affinity to the matrix. AFM morphologies showed that the surface profile of nanofibers loaded with affine substances is similar to one of the unloaded systems, thanks to the nature of the matrix-filler interaction. FTIR analyses proved the efficacy of the interaction between the amidic group of the Dacarbazine and the polycaprolactone. In AuM1-loaded membranes, because of the weak matrix-filler interaction, the complex is mainly aggregated in nanometric domains on the nanofiber surface, which manifests a nanometric roughness. Consequently, the release profiles follow a Fickian behavior for the Dacarbazine-based systems, whereas a two-step with a highly prominent burst effect was observed for AuM1 systems. The performed antitumoral tests evidence the high-cytotoxic activity of the electrospun systems against melanoma cell lines, proving that the synthetic substances are more active than the commercial dacarbazine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Longo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Marialuigia Raimondo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Luigi Vertuccio
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Roma 29, 813031 Aversa, Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Ciardulli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Marco Sirignano
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Giovanna Della Porta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Interdepartment Centre BIONAM, Università di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo I, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Liberata Guadagno
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Mariconda A, Iacopetta D, Sirignano M, Ceramella J, Costabile C, Pellegrino M, Rosano C, Catalano A, Saturnino C, El‐Kashef H, Aquaro S, Sinicropi MS, Longo P. N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Silver Complexes as Versatile Chemotherapeutic Agents Targeting Human Topoisomerases and Actin. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200345. [PMID: 35904129 PMCID: PMC9804882 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the number of people suffering from cancer has risen rapidly and the World Health Organization and U.S. and European governments have identified this pathology as a priority issue. It is known that most bioactive anticancer molecules do not target a single protein but exert pleiotropic effects, simultaneously affecting multiple pathways. In our study, we designed and synthesized a new series of silver N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes [(NHC)2 Ag]+ [AgX2 ]- (X=iodide or acetate). The new complexes were active against two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. These compounds showed multiple target actions as anticancer, by inhibiting in vitro the activity of the human topoisomerases I and II and interfering with the cytoskeleton dynamic, as also confirmed by in silico studies. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of these silver complexes was studied against Gram-positive/negative bacteria. These dual properties provide a two-tiered approach, making these compounds of interest to be further deepened for the development of new chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of ScienceUniversity of BasilicataViale dell'Ateneo Lucano 1085100PotenzaItaly
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of PharmacyHealthand Nutritional SciencesUniversity of CalabriaVia Pietro Bucci87036Arcavacata diRendeItaly
| | - Marco Sirignano
- Department of Chemistry and BiologyUniversity of SalernoVia Giovanni Paolo II, 132Fisciano84084Italy
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of PharmacyHealthand Nutritional SciencesUniversity of CalabriaVia Pietro Bucci87036Arcavacata diRendeItaly
| | - Chiara Costabile
- Department of Chemistry and BiologyUniversity of SalernoVia Giovanni Paolo II, 132Fisciano84084Italy
| | - Michele Pellegrino
- Department of PharmacyHealthand Nutritional SciencesUniversity of CalabriaVia Pietro Bucci87036Arcavacata diRendeItaly
| | - Camillo Rosano
- Biopolymers and Proteomics IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino – ISTLargo R. Benzi 1016132GenovaItaly
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug SciencesUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”Via Edoardo Orabona 470126BariItaly
| | - Carmela Saturnino
- Department of ScienceUniversity of BasilicataViale dell'Ateneo Lucano 1085100PotenzaItaly
| | | | - Stefano Aquaro
- Department of PharmacyHealthand Nutritional SciencesUniversity of CalabriaVia Pietro Bucci87036Arcavacata diRendeItaly
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of PharmacyHealthand Nutritional SciencesUniversity of CalabriaVia Pietro Bucci87036Arcavacata diRendeItaly
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and BiologyUniversity of SalernoVia Giovanni Paolo II, 132Fisciano84084Italy
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Ceramella J, La Torre C, De Luca M, Iacopetta D, Fazio A, Catalano A, Ragno G, Longo P, Sinicropi MS, Rosano C. Exploring the anticancer and antioxidant properties of Vicia faba L. pods extracts, a promising source of nutraceuticals. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13683. [PMID: 35996664 PMCID: PMC9392456 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pulse crops are considered the major sources of proteins, dietary fiber, micronutrients, and bioactive phytochemicals. Among the numerous pulse crops, broad beans (Vicia faba L.) have received particular attention due to their nutraceutical, functional and economic importance. Our attention was mainly focused on the broad bean pods (VFs), which are the primary by-product of the domestic and industrial processing of broad beans and an attractive source of valuable ingredients. Methods In order to investigate the VFs properties, the flours from broad beans of three different harvest periods were extracted with acetone, methanol and 70% aqueous ethanol and the dried extracts were analyzed, qualitatively and quantitatively, and tested for their antioxidant through DPPH and ABTS assay and anticancer activities using the MTT assay and immunofluorescence analysis. Results The VF extracts demonstrated a good in vitro radical scavenging activity from the first stage of collection of all the V. faba L. extracts. Additionally, the extracts were tested for their cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer and normal cells and the outcomes indicated the ethanol extract as the most active against the melanoma cell line Sk-Mel-28, without affecting the viability of the normal cells. Finally, we found out that the ethanol extract interfered with the microtubules organization, leading to the cancer cells death by apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Chiara La Torre
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Michele De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Alessia Fazio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Gaetano Ragno
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Camillo Rosano
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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A Resveratrol Phenylacetamide Derivative Perturbs the Cytoskeleton Dynamics Interfering with the Migration Potential in Breast Cancer. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12136531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is commonly used for cancer treatment, however the lack of selectivity on healthy cells and the development of resistance phenomena are the major issues. A better understanding of cancer genetics helped the development of new targeted anticancer treatments, which permit drug delivery with high specificity and lower toxicity. Moreover, the multi-target drug design concept represents the current trend for future drug research and development. Starting from good results previously obtained by our research group on the resveratrol (RSV) phenylacetamide derivative 2, which displayed an interesting anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity towards the breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, we identified other features, as the ability to perturb the cytoskeleton dynamics and interfere with the migration and metastatic processes. In vitro and in silico studies demonstrate that the derivative 2 is a tubulin and actin polymerization inhibitor and an actin depolymerization promotor. In addition, it interferes with the metastatic potential in both the breast cancer cells, inhibiting the in vitro cell migration and decreasing the spheroids number. These promising results demonstrate that the RSV phenylacetamide derivative 2 could be an important starting point in the discovery and development of safer and more efficacy multi-targeted agents.
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Guadagno L, Raimondo M, Vertuccio L, Lamparelli EP, Ciardulli MC, Longo P, Mariconda A, Della Porta G, Longo R. Electrospun Membranes Designed for Burst Release of New Gold-Complexes Inducing Apoptosis of Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137147. [PMID: 35806152 PMCID: PMC9267035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Two non-commercial metallic Au-based complexes were tested against one of the most aggressive malignant melanomas of the skin (MeWo cells), through cell viability and time-lapse live-cell imaging system assays. The tests with the complexes were carried out both in the form of free metallic complexes, directly in contact with the MeWo cell line culture, and embedded in fibers of Polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes produced by the electrospinning technique. Membranes functionalized with complexes were prepared to evaluate the efficiency of the membranes against the melanoma cells and therefore their feasibility in the application as an antitumoral patch for topical use. Both series of tests highlighted a very effective antitumoral activity, manifesting a very relevant cell viability inhibition after both 24 h and 48 h. In the case of the AuM1 complex at the concentration of 20 mM, melanoma cells completely died in this short period of time. A mortality of around 70% was detected from the tests performed using the membranes functionalized with AuM1 complex at a very low concentration (3 wt.%), even after 24 h of the contact period. The synthesized complexes also manifest high selectivity with respect to the MeWo cells. The peculiar structural and morphological organization of the nanofibers constituting the membranes allows for a very effective antitumoral activity in the first 3 h of treatment. Experimental points of the release profiles were perfectly fitted with theoretical curves, which easily allow interpretation of the kinetic phenomena occurring in the release of the synthesized complexes in the chosen medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liberata Guadagno
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (R.L.)
| | - Marialuigia Raimondo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | - Luigi Vertuccio
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 813031 Aversa, Italy;
| | - Erwin Pavel Lamparelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (E.P.L.); (M.C.C.); (G.D.P.)
| | - Maria Camilla Ciardulli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (E.P.L.); (M.C.C.); (G.D.P.)
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | | | - Giovanna Della Porta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (E.P.L.); (M.C.C.); (G.D.P.)
- Interdepartment Centre BIONAM, Università di Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Raffaele Longo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (R.L.)
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Lu Y, Ma X, Chang X, Liang Z, Lv L, Shan M, Lu Q, Wen Z, Gust R, Liu W. Recent development of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes as therapeutic agents for cancer diseases. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:5518-5556. [PMID: 35699475 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00933h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Metal complexes have demonstrated significant antitumor activities and platinum complexes are well established in the clinical application of cancer chemotherapy. However, the platinum-based treatment of different types of cancers is massively hampered by severe side effects and resistance development. Consequently, the development of novel metal-based drugs with different mechanism of action and pharmaceutical profile attracts modern medicinal chemists to design and synthesize novel metal-based agents. Among non-platinum anticancer drugs, gold complexes have gained considerable attention due to their significant antiproliferative potency and efficacy. In most situations, the gold complexes exhibit anticancer activities by targeting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) or other thiol-rich proteins and enzymes and trigger cell death via reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, gold complexes were recently reported to elicit biochemical hallmarks of immunogenic cell death (ICD) as an ICD inducer. In this review, the recent progress of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes is comprehensively summarized, and their activities and mechanism of action are documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Lu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xingyu Chang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Zhenlin Liang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Lin Lv
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Min Shan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Qiuyue Lu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Zhenfan Wen
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Ronald Gust
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Wukun Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China. .,State key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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18
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Massai L, Messori L, Carpentieri A, Amoresano A, Melchiorre C, Fiaschi T, Modesti A, Gamberi T, Magherini F. The effects of two gold-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes in ovarian cancer cells: a redox proteomic study. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 89:809-823. [PMID: 35543764 PMCID: PMC9135895 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-022-04438-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Standard treatment consists of tumor debulking surgery followed by platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy; yet, despite the initial response, about 70-75% of patients develop resistance to chemotherapy. Gold compounds represent a family of very promising anticancer drugs. Among them, we previously investigated the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties of Au(NHC) and Au(NHC)2PF6, i.e., a monocarbene gold(I) complex and the corresponding bis(carbene) complex. Gold compounds are known to alter the redox state of cells interacting with free cysteine and selenocysteine residues of several proteins. Herein, a redox proteomic study has been carried out to elucidate the mechanisms of cytotoxicity in A2780 human ovarian cancer cells. METHODS A biotinylated iodoacetamide labeling method coupled with mass spectrometry was used to identify oxidation-sensitive protein cysteines. RESULTS Gold carbene complexes cause extensive oxidation of several cellular proteins; many affected proteins belong to two major functional classes: carbohydrate metabolism, and cytoskeleton organization/cell adhesion. Among the affected proteins, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibition was proved by enzymatic assays and by ESI-MS studies. We also found that Au(NHC)2PF6 inhibits mitochondrial respiration impairing complex I function. Concerning the oxidized cytoskeletal proteins, gold binding to the free cysteines of actin was demonstrated by ESI-MS analysis. Notably, both gold compounds affected cell migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we deepened the mode of action of Au(NHC) and Au(NHC)2PF6, identifying common cellular targets but confirming their different influence on the mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Massai
- Department of Chemistry 'Ugo Schiff', University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3-13, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Firenze, Italy
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry 'Ugo Schiff', University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3-13, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Carpentieri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Melchiorre
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Tania Fiaschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Mario Serio" University of Florence Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Modesti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Mario Serio" University of Florence Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Tania Gamberi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Mario Serio" University of Florence Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Francesca Magherini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Mario Serio" University of Florence Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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New Achievements for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12115554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) constitutes a heterogeneous group of malignancies that are often aggressive and associated with a poor prognosis. The development of new TNBC treatment strategies has become an urgent clinical need. Diagnosis and subtyping of TNBC are essential to establish alternative treatments and targeted therapies for every TNBC patient. Chemotherapy, particularly with anthracycline and taxanes, remains the backbone for medical management for both early and metastatic TNBC. More recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy have revolutionized cancer treatment. Included in the different strategies studied for TNBC treatment is drug repurposing. Despite the numerous medications available, numerous studies in medicinal chemistry are still aimed at the synthesis of new compounds in order to find new antiproliferative agents capable of treating TNBC. Additionally, some supplemental micronutrients, nutraceuticals and functional foods can potentially reduce the risk of developing cancer or can retard the rate of growth and metastases of established malignant diseases. Finally, nanotechnology in medicine, termed nanomedicines, introduces nanoparticles of variable chemistry and architecture for cancer treatment. This review highlights the most recent studies in search of new therapies for the treatment of TNBC, along with nutraceuticals and repositioning of drugs.
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Synthesis, in vitro anticancer activity and reactions with biomolecule of gold(I)-NHC carbene complexes. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.132482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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21
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DNA Copy Number Aberrations and Expression of ABC Transporter Genes in Breast Tumour: Correlation with the Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Prognosis of the Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050948. [PMID: 35631534 PMCID: PMC9146568 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the important reasons for the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy in breast cancer (BC) is considered to be the formation of a multidrug resistance phenotype in tumour cells, which is caused by the expression of energy-dependent ABC transporters. The aim of this work was to assess chromosomal aberrations and the level of transcripts of all 49 known ABC transporter genes in breast tumours. Materials and Methods. The study included 129 patients with breast cancer. A microarray study of all tumour samples was carried out on microchips. Results. This study established that the presence of a deletion in genes ABCB1, ABCB4, ABCB8, ABCC7, ABCC11, ABCC12, ABCF2, and ABCG4 is associated with an objective response to treatment (p ≤ 0.05). A decrease in the expression of genes was associated with a good response to chemotherapy, whereas an increase in expression caused the progression and stabilization of the tumour. Analysis of metastatic-free survival rates showed that the presence of ABCB1/4 and ABCC1/6 deletions was associated with 100% survival (log-rank test p = 0.01 and p = 0.03). Conclusions. The study showed that the aberrant state of ABC transporter genes, as well as a decrease in the expression of these genes, is a predictor of the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment and a potential prognostic marker of metastatic survival.
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Ceramella J, Mariconda A, Sirignano M, Iacopetta D, Rosano C, Catalano A, Saturnino C, Sinicropi MS, Longo P. Novel Au Carbene Complexes as Promising Multi-Target Agents in Breast Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050507. [PMID: 35631334 PMCID: PMC9146163 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, metal complexes based on N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have attracted great attention due to their wide and exciting applications in material sciences and medicinal chemistry. In particular, the gold-based complexes are the focus of research efforts for the development of new anticancer compounds. Literature data and recent results, obtained by our research group, reported the design, the synthesis and the good anticancer activity of some silver and gold complexes with NHC ligands. In particular, some of these complexes were active towards some breast cancer cell lines. Considering this evidence, here we report some new Au-NHC complexes prepared in order to improve solubility and biological activity. Among them, the compounds 1 and 6 showed an interesting anticancer activity towards the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. In addition, in vitro and in silico studies demonstrated that they were able to inhibit the activity of the human topoisomerases I and II and the actin polymerization reaction. Moreover, a downregulation of vimentin expression and a reduced translocation of NF-kB into the nucleus was observed. The interference with these vital cell structures induced breast cancer cells’ death by triggering the extrinsic apoptotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Marco Sirignano
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.S.); (P.L.)
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
- Correspondence: (D.I.); (C.R.); Tel.: +39-0984-493200 (D.I.)
| | - Camillo Rosano
- U.O. Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 1632 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.I.); (C.R.); Tel.: +39-0984-493200 (D.I.)
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Carmela Saturnino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.S.); (P.L.)
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Martín-Encinas E, Selas A, Palacios F, Alonso C. The design and discovery of topoisomerase I inhibitors as anticancer therapies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:581-601. [PMID: 35321631 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2055545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer has been identified as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The biological target of some anticancer agents is topoisomerase I, an enzyme involved in the relaxation of supercoiled DNA. The synthesis of new compounds with antiproliferative effect and behaving as topoisomerase I inhibitors has become an active field of research. Depending on their mechanism of inhibition, they can be classified as catalytic inhibitors or poisons. AREAS COVERED This review article summarizes the state of the art for the development of selective topoisomerase I inhibitors. Collected compounds showed inhibition of the enzyme, highlighting those approved for clinical use, the combination therapies developed, as well as related drawbacks and future focus. EXPERT OPINION Research related to topoisomerase I inhibitors in cancer therapy started with camptothecin (CPT). This compound was first selected as a good anticancer agent and then topoisomerase I was identified as its therapeutic target. Derivatives of CPT irinotecan, topotecan, and belotecan are the only clinically approved inhibitors. Currently, their limitations are being addressed by different stretegies. Future studies should focus not only on developing other active molecules but also on improving the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of potent synthetic derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endika Martín-Encinas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I - Centro de Investigación Lascaray, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad del País Vasco, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
| | - Asier Selas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I - Centro de Investigación Lascaray, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad del País Vasco, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
| | - Francisco Palacios
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I - Centro de Investigación Lascaray, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad del País Vasco, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
| | - Concepción Alonso
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I - Centro de Investigación Lascaray, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad del País Vasco, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
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24
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González-Ballesteros MM, Mejía C, Ruiz-Azuara L. Metallodrugs, an approach against invasion and metastasis in cancer treatment. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:880-899. [PMID: 35170871 PMCID: PMC9063434 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disease that causes high mortality throughout the world; therefore, finding the most effective therapies is a major research challenge. Currently, most anticancer drugs present a limited number of well‐established targets, such as cell proliferation or death; however, it is important to consider that the worse progression of cancer toward pathological stages implies invasion and metastasis processes. Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry (MIC) is a young area that deals with the design, synthesis, characterization, preclinical evaluation, and mechanism of action of new inorganic compounds, called metallodrugs. The properties of metallic ions allow enriching of strategies for the design of new drugs, enabling the adjustment of physicochemical and stereochemical properties. Metallodrugs can adopt geometries, such as tetrahedral, octahedral, square planar, and square planar pyramid, which adjusts their arrangement and facilitates binding with a wide variety of targets. The redox properties of some metal ions can be modulated by the presence of the bound ligands to adjust their interaction, thereby opening a range of mechanisms of action. In this regard, the mechanisms of action that trigger the biological activity of metallodrugs have been generally identified by: (a) coordination of the metal to biomolecules (for instance, cisplatin binds to the N7 in DNA guanine, as Pt‐N via coordination of the inhibition of enzymes); (b) redox‐active; and (c) ROS production. For this reason, a series of metallodrugs can interact with several specific targets in the anti‐invasive processes of cancer and can prevent metastasis. The structural base of several metal compounds shows great anticancer potential by inhibiting the signaling pathways related to cancer progression. In this minireview, we present the advances in the field of antimetastatic effects of metallodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio M González-Ballesteros
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Nuclear, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad de México, CP, 04510, Mexico
| | - Carmen Mejía
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, C.P, 76230, México
| | - Lena Ruiz-Azuara
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Nuclear, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad de México, CP, 04510, Mexico
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25
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Multidrug Resistance (MDR): A Widespread Phenomenon in Pharmacological Therapies. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27030616. [PMID: 35163878 PMCID: PMC8839222 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance is a leading concern in public health. It describes a complex phenotype whose predominant feature is resistance to a wide range of structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds, many of which are anticancer agents. Multidrug resistance may be also related to antimicrobial drugs, and is known to be one of the most serious global public health threats of this century. Indeed, this phenomenon has increased both mortality and morbidity as a consequence of treatment failures and its incidence in healthcare costs. The large amounts of antibiotics used in human therapies, as well as for farm animals and even for fishes in aquaculture, resulted in the selection of pathogenic bacteria resistant to multiple drugs. It is not negligible that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may further contribute to antimicrobial resistance. In this paper, multidrug resistance and antimicrobial resistance are underlined, focusing on the therapeutic options to overcome these obstacles in drug treatments. Lastly, some recent studies on nanodrug delivery systems have been reviewed since they may represent a significant approach for overcoming resistance.
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26
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Catalytic and Biological Activity of Silver and Gold Complexes Stabilized by NHC with Hydroxy Derivatives on Nitrogen Atoms. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal12010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper is reported the synthesis of N,N′ hydroxy derivative of NHC silver (3a–4a) and gold(I) (3b–4b) complexes of general formula [M(NHC)2]+ [MX2]−. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and analytic techniques. The complexes turned out to be effective in both catalytic and biological applications. They catalyzed the coupling of aldehyde, piperidine, and phenylacetylene in A3-reaction to produce propargylamines and showed antimicrobial activity. In fact, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) tests with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria demonstrated that the silver compounds are selective toward E. coli, whereas the gold analogues are active against S. aureus. Moreover, the N,N′ hydroxy derivative of NHC silver complexes 3a and 4a exhibited good anticancer activity on the HeLA cancer cells (3a-IC50 = 12.2 ± 0.1 µM, 4a-IC50 = 11.9 ± 1.2 µM), whereas gold complex 4b displayed good anticancer activity towards the MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 12.2 ± 1.2 µM).
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27
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A Review on the Advancements in the Field of Metal Complexes with Schiff Bases as Antiproliferative Agents. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11136027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Metal complexes play an essential role in pharmaceutical sciences for their multiple and important activities. Schiff bases are versatile pharmacophores able to form chelating complexes with several metals in different oxidation states. Complexes with Schiff bases are widely described in the literature for their multiple actions and numerous advantages, such as low cost and easy synthesis. They show multiple biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimalarial, antinflammatory and antitumor. Schiff bases may also form complexes with lanthanides and actinides acting as catalysts (e.g., in various synthetic processes) and antitumor agents. This review intends to extend on our previous paper regarding Schiff bases as antitumorals, highlighting the importance, in the field of the anticancer agents, of these tools as ligands of metal complexes.
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28
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N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Gold(I) Complexes Targeting Actin Polymerization. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11125626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Transition metal complexes are attracting attention because of their various chemical and biological properties. In particular, the NHC-gold complexes represent a productive field of research in medicinal chemistry, mostly as anticancer tools, displaying a broad range of targets. In addition to the already known biological targets, recently, an important activity in the organization of the cell cytoskeleton was discovered. In this paper, we demonstrated that two NHC-gold complexes (namely AuL4 and AuL7) possessing good anticancer activity and multi-target properties, as stated in our previous studies, play a major role in regulating the actin polymerization, by the means of in silico and in vitro assays. Using immunofluorescence and direct enzymatic assays, we proved that both the complexes inhibited the actin polymerization reaction without promoting the depolymerization of actin filaments. Our outcomes may contribute toward deepening the knowledge of NHC-gold complexes, with the objective of producing more effective and safer drugs for treating cancer diseases.
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Şahin-Bölükbaşı S, Cantürk-Kılıçkaya P, Kılıçkaya O. Silver(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes challenge cancer; evaluation of their anticancer properties and in silico studies. Drug Dev Res 2021; 82:907-926. [PMID: 33978961 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Because of the continuous need for efficient therapeutic agents against various kinds of cancers and infectious diseases, the pharmaceutical industry has to find new candidates and strategies to develop novel and efficient drugs. They increasingly use computational tools in R&D stages for screening extensive sets of drug candidates before starting pre-clinical and clinical trials. N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) can be evaluated as good drug candidates because they offer both anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory features with their general low-toxicity profiles. To date, different kinds of NHCs (Cu, Co, Ni, Au, Ag, Ru, etc.) have been synthesized and their therapeutic uses has been shown. Here, we have reviewed the recent studies focused on Ag(I)-NHC complexes and their anti-cancer activities. Also, existing examples of the usage of density functional theory and structure-activity relationship have been evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serap Şahin-Bölükbaşı
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Pakize Cantürk-Kılıçkaya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Ozan Kılıçkaya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
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Guarra F, Pratesi A, Gabbiani C, Biver T. A focus on the biological targets for coinage metal-NHCs as potential anticancer complexes. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 217:111355. [PMID: 33596529 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Metal complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are the object of increasing attention for therapeutic purposes. Among the different metal centres, interest on Au-based compounds started with the application as anti-arthritis drugs. On the other hand, Ag(I) antimicrobial properties have been known for a long time. For Au(I)/Au(III)-NHC and Ag(I)-NHC anti-tumour and anti-proliferative properties have been quite recently demonstrated. In addition to these and as for Group 11, copper is a much less investigated metal centre, but a few papers underline its pharmacological potential. This review wants to focus on the different biological targets for these metal-based compounds. It is divided into chapters which are respectively devoted on: i) mitochondria and thiol oxidoreductase systems; ii) other relevant enzymes; iii) nucleic acids. Examples of representative coinage NHCs for each of the targets are provided together with significant references on recent advances on the topic. Moreover, a final comment summarises the aspects enlightened by each chapter and provides some hints to better understand the metal-NHCs mechanistic behaviour based on structure-activity relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Guarra
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Gabbiani
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tarita Biver
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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31
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Longo R, Gorrasi G, Guadagno L. Electromagnetically Stimuli-Responsive Nanoparticles-Based Systems for Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:848. [PMID: 33810343 PMCID: PMC8065448 DOI: 10.3390/nano11040848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) in the biomedical field are known for many decades as carriers for drugs that are used to overcome biological barriers and reduce drug doses to be administrated. Some types of NPs can interact with external stimuli, such as electromagnetic radiations, promoting interesting effects (e.g., hyperthermia) or even modifying the interactions between electromagnetic field and the biological system (e.g., electroporation). For these reasons, at present these nanomaterial applications are intensively studied, especially for drugs that manifest relevant side effects, for which it is necessary to find alternatives in order to reduce the effective dose. In this review, the main electromagnetic-induced effects are deeply analyzed, with a particular focus on the activation of hyperthermia and electroporation phenomena, showing the enhanced biological performance resulting from an engineered/tailored design of the nanoparticle characteristics. Moreover, the possibility of integrating these nanofillers in polymeric matrices (e.g., electrospun membranes) is described and discussed in light of promising applications resulting from new transdermal drug delivery systems with controllable morphology and release kinetics controlled by a suitable stimulation of the interacting systems (nanofiller and interacting cells).
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Longo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Salerno, Italy;
| | | | - Liberata Guadagno
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Salerno, Italy;
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32
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Gold Derivatives Development as Prospective Anticancer Drugs for Breast Cancer Treatment. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11052089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Commonly used anticancer drugs are cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs. However, the use of these drugs in chemotherapy causes numerous side effects and the onset of frequent drug resistance phenomena. This review summarizes the most recent results on the gold derivatives used for their significant inhibitory effects on the in vitro proliferation of breast cancer cell models and for the consequences deriving from morphological changes in the same cells. In particular, the study discusses the antitumor activity of gold nanoparticles, gold (I) and (III) compounds, gold complexes and carbene-based gold complexes, compared with cisplatin. The results of screening studies of cytotoxicity and antitumor activity for the gold derivatives show that the death of cancer cells can occur intrinsically by apoptosis. Recent research has shown that gold (III) compounds with square planar geometries, such as that of cisplatin, can intercalate the DNA and provide novel anticancer agents. The gold derivatives described can make an important contribution to expanding the knowledge of medicinal bioorganometallic chemistry and broadening the range of anticancer agents available, offering improved characteristics, such as increased activity and/or selectivity, and paving the way for further discoveries and applications.
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33
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Schiff Bases: Interesting Scaffolds with Promising Antitumoral Properties. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11041877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schiff bases, named after Hugo Schiff, are highly reactive organic compounds broadly used as pigments and dyes, catalysts, intermediates in organic synthesis, and polymer stabilizers. Lots of Schiff bases are described in the literature for various biological activities, including antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral. Schiff bases are also known for their ability to form complexes with several metals. Very often, complexes of Schiff bases with metals and Schiff bases alone have demonstrated interesting antitumor activity. Given the innumerable vastness of data regarding antitumor activity of all these compounds, we focused our attention on mono- and bis-Schiff bases alone as antitumor agents. We will highlight the most significant examples of compounds belonging to this class reported in the literature.
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Costabile C, Mariconda A, Sirignano M, Crispini A, Scarpelli F, Longo P. A green approach for A 3-coupling reactions: an experimental and theoretical study on NHC silver and gold catalysts. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj03444h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
N-heterocyclic carbene silver and gold complexes active in A3-coupling (aldehyde–alkyne–amine) reactions in green conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Costabile
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 84081 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Viale Dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Marco Sirignano
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 84081 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandra Crispini
- MAT-InLAB, LASCAMM CR-INSTM, Unità INSTM della Calabria, Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie, Chimiche Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Francesca Scarpelli
- MAT-InLAB, LASCAMM CR-INSTM, Unità INSTM della Calabria, Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie, Chimiche Università della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 84081 Fisciano, SA, Italy
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35
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Rouco L, Sánchez-González Á, Alvariño R, Alfonso A, Vázquez-López EM, García-Martínez E, Maneiro M. Combined Effect of Caspase-Dependent and Caspase-Independent Apoptosis in the Anticancer Activity of Gold Complexes with Phosphine and Benzimidazole Derivatives. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:10. [PMID: 33374177 PMCID: PMC7824672 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the potential anticancer activity of auranofin was discovered, gold compounds have attracted interest with a view to developing anticancer agents that follow cytotoxic mechanisms other than cisplatin. Two benzimidazole gold(I) derivatives containing triphenylphosphine (Au(pben)(PPh3)) (1) or triethylphosphine (Au(pben)(PEt3)) (2) were prepared and characterized by standard techniques. X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 2 were solved. The cytotoxicity of 1 and 2 was tested in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Cells were incubated with compounds for 24 h with concentrations ranging from 10 µM to 1 nM, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined. 1 and 2 showed an IC50 of 2.7 and 1.6 µM, respectively. In order to better understand the type of cell death induced by compounds, neuroblastoma cells were stained with Annexin-FITC and propidium iodide. The fluorescence analysis revealed that compounds were inducing apoptosis; however, pre-treatment with the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD did not reduce cell death. Analysis of compound effects on caspase-3 activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in SH-SY5Y cells revealed an antiproliferative ability mediated through oxidative stress and both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent mechanisms.
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Grants
- 2017 GRC GI-1682 (ED431C 2017/01), 2018 GRC-1584 (ED431C 2018/13), MetalBIO network (ED431D 2017/01) Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia
- CTQ2015-65707-C2-2-P, AGL2016-78728-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), ISCIII/PI16/01830, RTC-2016-5507-2, ITC-20161072 Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad
- POPTEP 0161-Nanoeaters-1-E-1, Interreg AlertoxNet EAPA-317-2016, Interreg Agritox EAPA-998-2018, H2020 778069-EMERTOX European Union
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Rouco
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Ángeles Sánchez-González
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rebeca Alvariño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Amparo Alfonso
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Ezequiel M. Vázquez-López
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultade de Química, Campus Universitario Lagoas-Marcosende, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain; (E.M.V.-L.); (E.G.-M.)
| | - Emilia García-Martínez
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultade de Química, Campus Universitario Lagoas-Marcosende, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain; (E.M.V.-L.); (E.G.-M.)
| | - Marcelino Maneiro
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
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Iacopetta D, Catalano A, Ceramella J, Barbarossa A, Carocci A, Fazio A, La Torre C, Caruso A, Ponassi M, Rosano C, Franchini C, Sinicropi MS. Synthesis, anticancer and antioxidant properties of new indole and pyranoindole derivatives. Bioorg Chem 2020; 105:104440. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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37
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Iacopetta D, Lappano R, Mariconda A, Ceramella J, Sinicropi MS, Saturnino C, Talia M, Cirillo F, Martinelli F, Puoci F, Rosano C, Longo P, Maggiolini M. Newly Synthesized Imino-Derivatives Analogues of Resveratrol Exert Inhibitory Effects in Breast Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207797. [PMID: 33096835 PMCID: PMC7589783 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer represents the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide. Various therapeutics are currently used in order to halt the progression of breast tumor, even though certain side effects may limit the beneficial effects. In recent years, many efforts have been addressed to the usefulness of natural compounds as anticancer agents due to their low toxicity. Resveratrol, a stilbene found in grapes, berries, peanuts and soybeans, has raised a notable interest for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. Here, we report the design, the synthesis and the characterization of the anticancer activity of a small series of imino N-aryl-substituted compounds that are analogues of resveratrol. In particular, the most active compound, named 3, exhibited anti-tumor activity in diverse types of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of the human topoisomerase II and the induction of apoptotic cell death. Therefore, the abovementioned compound maybe considered as a promising agent in more comprehensive treatments of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (C.S.); Tel.: +39-0984-493200 (M.S.S.); Tel.: +39-0971-26442 (C.S.)
| | - Carmela Saturnino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.M.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (C.S.); Tel.: +39-0984-493200 (M.S.S.); Tel.: +39-0971-26442 (C.S.)
| | - Marianna Talia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Francesca Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Fabio Martinelli
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesco Puoci
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Camillo Rosano
- Biopolymers and Proteomics IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino–IST, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (M.T.); (F.C.); (F.P.); (M.M.)
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Ceramella J, Mariconda A, Rosano C, Iacopetta D, Caruso A, Longo P, Sinicropi MS, Saturnino C. α-ω Alkenyl-bis-S-Guanidine Thiourea Dihydrobromide Affects HeLa Cell Growth Hampering Tubulin Polymerization. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2306-2316. [PMID: 32945626 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is going to be the first cause of mortality worldwide in the 21th century. It is considered a multifactorial disease that results from the combined influence of many genetic aberrations, leading to abnormal cell proliferation. As microtubules are strongly implicated in cellular growth, they represent an important target for cancer treatment. The well-known microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) including paclitaxel, colchicine and vinca alkaloids are commonly used in the treatment of various cancers. However, adverse effects and drug resistance are major limitations in their clinical use. To find new candidates able to induce microtubule alteration with reduced toxic effects or drug resistance, we studied a small new series of derivatives that present imidazolinic, guanidinic, thioureidic and hydrazinic groups (1-9). All the compounds were tested for their antitumor activity against a panel of six tumoral cell models. In particular, compound 8 (nonane-1,9-diyl-bis-S-amidinothiourea dihydrobromide) showed the lowest IC50 value against HeLa cells, together with a low cytotoxicity for normal cells. This compound was able to induce the apoptotic mitochondrial pathway and inhibited tubulin polymerization with a similar efficacy to vinblastine and nocodazole. Taken together, these promising biological properties make compound 8 useful for the development of novel therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.,Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Camillo Rosano
- Biopolymers and Proteomics IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino - IST, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Anna Caruso
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Carmela Saturnino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza, 85100, Italy
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