pH-Responsive Cobalt(II)-Coordinated Assembly Containing Quercetin for Antimicrobial Applications

The development of novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) with promising antibacterial properties is essential for facing the emergency of increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents. The antibacterial features of quercetin and its metal complexes have been broadly investigated. However, several drawbacks affect their activity and effectiveness. In this work, we propose a DDS based on a pH-responsive cobalt(II)-coordinated assembly containing quercetin and polyacrylic acid. This system is suggested to trigger the release of the model drug in a pH-dependent mode by exploiting the localized acidic environment at the bacterial infection sites under anaerobic conditions. The delivery system has been designed by accurately examining the species and the multiple equilibria occurring in solution among the assembly components. The formation of cobalt(II) complexes with quercetin in the absence or presence of the pH-responsive polyacrylic acid was investigated in buffered aqueous solution at pH 7.4 using spectrophotometric (UV-Vis) and calorimetric (ITC) techniques. The determined binding affinities and thermodynamic parameters that resulted are essential for the development of a DDS with improved binding and release capabilities. Furthermore, the affinity of the polymer-cobalt(II) complex toward the model antimicrobial flavonoid was explored at the solid-liquid interface by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) experiments, which provided marked evidence for drug loading and release under pH control.

Synthesis, structural investigations, and in vitro biological activity of Co(II) and Fe(III) mixed ligand complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-bipyridine

Herein, we report, four new mixed ligand complexes of Cobalt(II) and Iron(III), viz., [Co(L₁ )(L₂ )(H₂ O)₂ ]Cl₂ (1), [Co(L₁ )(L₂ )(L₃ )(H₂ O)]Cl₂ (2), [Fe(L₁ )(L₂ )(H₂ O)₂ ]Cl₃ (3), and [Fe(L₁ )(L₂ )(L₃ )(H₂ O)]Cl₃ (4), where L₁  = 1,10-phenanthroline (C₁₂ H₈ N₂ ), L₂  = 2,2'-bipyridine (C₁₀ H₈ N₂ ), and L₃  = acetamide (C₂ H₅ NO)). They were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic analysis (ESI-MS, ICP-OES, FT-IR, and UV-Vis), elemental analysis, melting point determination, and conductance measurement. The in vitro antibacterial activity was tested on two Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) and two Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. Coli)and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) bacteria using the disc diffusion method. Based on the analytical and spectroscopic data, octahedral geometries are assigned to the complexes. Co(II) complexes were found more active against K. pneumoniae than the corresponding Fe(III) complexes which indicated that antibacterial activities of metal complexes have tuned with the nature of the metal. The results provide an insight to design and readily prepare task-specific metal-based drugs for interaction with particular bacterial strains.

Polypyridyl Co(II)-Curcumin Complexes as Photo-activated Anticancer and Antibacterial Agents

Four new Co(II) complexes viz., [Co(bpy)2(acac)]Cl (1), [Co(phen)2(acac)]Cl (2), [Co(bpy)2(cur)]Cl (3), [Co(phen)2(cur)]Cl (4), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine (1 and 3), phen = 1,10-phenanthroline (2 and 4), acac = acetylacetonate (1 and 2), cur = curcumin monoanion (3 and 4) were designed, synthesized and fully characterized. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 indicated that CoN4O2 core has a distorted octahedral geometry. The photoactivity of these complexes was tuned by varying the π conjugation in the ligands. 3 and 4 depicted an intense absorption band near 435 nm, which made them useful as visible-light PDT agents. Curcumin complexes 3 and 4 showed fluorescence with λemi = ca. 565 nm. This fluorescence was useful to study their intracellular uptake and localization in MCF-7 cancer cells. The acetylacetonate complexes (1 and 2) are used as control complexes to understand the role of curcumin. The white light-triggered anticancer profiles of the cytosol targeting complexes 3 and 4 were investigated in detail. These non-dark toxic complexes displayed significant apoptotic photo-cytotoxicity (under visible light) against MCF-7 cells via ROS generation. The control complexes 1 and 2 did not induce significant cell death in light and dark. Interestingly, 1-4 produced a remarkable antibacterial response on light exposure. Overall, the reported results here can increase the boundary of the Co(II)-based anticancer and antibacterial drug development.

Co(II) complexes of curcumin and a ferrocene-based curcuminoid: a study on photo-induced antitumor activity

Co(II) complexes having a ferrocene-based curcuminoid (Fc-curH) ligand viz. [Co(L)₂(Fc-cur)]ClO₄ (1, 2), where L is phenanthroline base, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 2) have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated as photochemotherapeutic agents in vitro. The corresponding Co(II) complexes of the naturally occurring polyphenol curcumin (curH), namely, [Co(L)₂(cur)]ClO₄ (3, 4), where L is phen (in 3) and dppz (in 4) were synthesized and their photo-induced anticancer activities compared with their ferrocene containing counterparts 1 and 2. The Co(II) acetylacetonato complex viz. [Co(phen)₂(acac)]ClO₄ (5) was structurally characterized through X-ray crystallography and used as control for cellular experiments. The Co(II) complexes having ferrocene-based curcuminoid are remarkably stable at physiological condition with higher lipophilicity compared to their curcumin analogues. The complexes display significant binding propensity to calf thymus (ct) DNA and human serum albumin (HSA). The complexes 1-4 display remarkable visible light induced cytotoxicity with the ferrocenyl analogues showing more phototoxic index (PI). The Co(II) curcumin complexes localize in the nucleus and mitochondria of A549 cells. The primary cell death mechanism is believed to be apoptotic in nature induced by light assisted generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).Graphic abstract.

Structure, DFT studies and evaluation of catechol oxidase (CO) mimic activity of mononuclear Co(II) complexes derived from aminoalcohols: an experimental and theoretical approach

The impetus to modeling of enzyme mimics comes from their potential to provide insight to the alternate mechanistic pathways of the native enzymes. The present study demonstrates the syntheses and characterization of two different cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(pdm)(Phen)Cl]Cl·H₂O (1) and [Co(pmmH)₂(SCN)₂] (2) with the aminoalcohol ligands such as pyridine-2,6-dimethanol (pdmH₂) or 2-pyridinemonomethanol (pmmH) and their assessment as catechol oxidase (CO) enzyme mimic. Single Crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction data suggest the octahedral environment around the Co(II) ion and the complexes form extensive 1D or 2D propagating network as a result of non-covalent interactions (O···H and C-H···π). TD-DFT calculations were used to explain the spectral bands obtained during the UV-Vis absorption studies and it is ascertained that the transitions were mainly of the intra-ligand charge transfer (ILCT) type. The catecholase biomimetic catalytic activity of the synthesized complexes has been investigated in detail and the kinetics is also performed. The results obtained show that both the complexes catalyze the aerobic oxidation of catechol to the corresponding o-quinone. The K_cat value for 1 is 106.99 h^‒1 and for 2 is 90.32 h^‒1 in methanol. It may be mentioned here that 1 and 2 are effective catalysts, with the order of activity being 1 > 2. The order of enzymatic activity is well justified by CV and DFT studies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Enhancing Effect of Chloride Ions on the Autocatalytic Process of Ag(I) Reduction by Co(II) Complexes

In this work, the possibilities of increasing the rate of electroless silver plating without a rise in the concentration of reactants or elevation of temperature were studied. The effect of halide additive, namely chloride ions, on the rate of electroless silver deposition was investigated, using conventional chemical kinetics and electrochemical techniques. It was found that the deposition rate of electroless silver increased 2–3 times in the presence of 10–20 mM of chlorides, preserving sufficient stability of the solution.

Influences of Fluorine Substituents on Iminopyridine Fe(II)- and Co(II)-Catalyzed Isoprene Polymerization

A series of iminopyridine complexes of Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes bearing fluorinated aryl substituents were synthesized for the polymerization of isoprene. The structures of complexes 3a, 2b and 3b were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 3a contained two iminopyridine ligands coordinated to the iron metal center forming an octahedral geometry, whereas 2b adopted a chloro-bridged dimer, and 3b featured with two patterns of cobalt centers bridged via chlorine atoms. Complexes 2b and 3b represented rare examples of chlorine bridged bimetallic Co(II) complexes. The fluorine substituents effects, particularly on catalytic activity and polymer properties such as molecular weight and regio-/stereo-selectivity were investigated when these complexes were employed for isoprene polymerization. Among the Fe(II)/methylaluminoxane (MAO) systems, the 4-CF₃ substituted iminopyridine Fe(II) complex 1a was found as a highly active isoprene polymerization catalyst exhibiting the highest activity of 10⁶ g·(mol of Fe)-1·h-1. The resultant polymer displayed lower molecular weight (Mn = 3.5 × 10⁴ g/mol) and moderate polydispersity index (PDI = 2.1). Furthermore, the ratio of cis-1,4-/3,4 was not affected by the F substituents. In the series of Co(II)/AlEt₂Cl binary systems, complexes containing electron-withdrawing N-aryl substituents (R = 4-CF₃, 2,6-2F) afforded higher molecular weights polyisoprene than that was obtained by the complex containing electron-donating N-alkyl substituents (R = octyl). However, ternary components system, complex/MAO/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] resulted in low molecular weight polyisoprene (Mn < 2000) with high trans-1,4-unit (>95%).

Co(II) Complexes of4-((3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulphonamide and 4-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)-N-(thiazol-2-tl)benzenesulfonamide: Synthesis, Fluorescence Properties and Anticancer Activity

Two new Co(II) complexes of 4-((3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulphonamide and 4-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzene sulfonamide were synthesised. The structure of the complexes was identified by elemental analysis, FT-IR, electronic, EI mass, Powder XRD spectra and magnetic moment. The TG and DTA patterns of the complexes were supported the structures. The fluorescence quenching of these complexes with alizarin dye were premeditated and the free energy change (∆G_et) for electron transfer process was designed by Rehm-Weller equation. The [Co(L₁-H)₂(H₂O)₂] and [Co(L₂)₂(H₂O)₂].2H₂O were submitted for in vitro cytotoxicity studies in human breast cancer cell line (MCF 7).

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of some unsymmetrical Schiff base transition metal complexes

In this study, several unsymmetrical Schiff bases and their cobalt and manganese complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The unsymmetrical Schiff bases were prepared from reaction of o-phenylendiamine derivatives with 1-hydroxy-2-acetonaphthone and then the product was reacted with the following aldehydes: salicyaldehyde, 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde, 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and 2-qinolinecarboxaldehyde to produce the desired tetradentate unsymmetrical Schiff base ligands H2SL, H2NL, HPYL and HQN, respectively. Reaction of these ligands with cobalt and manganese salts produced complexes of the general formula [M(SL)], [(NL)], [M(PYL)] and [M(QL)]. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The prepared complexes were examined for their anti-bacterial activity using gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. The following complexes showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus: MnSL1, MnSL2 and MnSL3. The genotoxic activity of four complexes, which are MnNL1, MnSL1, CoNL1 and CoSL1, were examined using 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) assay in cultured human blood lymphocytes. All examined complexes were found to be genotoxic at examined concentrations (0.1-100 µg/mL), but with variable magnitudes (p < 0.05). The levels of 8-OHdG induced by MnNL1 and MnSL1 were significantly higher than that induced by CoNL1 and CoSL1 ones. In general, the order of mutagenicity of the compounds is MnSL1 > MnNL1 > CoSL1 > CoNL1. In conclusion, some of the prepared complexes showed some biological activities that might be of interest for future research.

Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity and carbonic anhydrase enzyme inhibitor effects of salicilaldehyde-N-methyl p-toluenesulfonylhydrazone and its Palladium(II), Cobalt(II) complexes

We report the synthesis of the ligand, salicilaldehyde-N-methyl p-toluenesulfonylhydrazone (salptsmh) derived from p-toluenesulfonicacid-1-methylhydrazide (ptsmh) and its Pd(II) and Co(II) metal complexes were synthesized for the first time. The structure of the ligand and their complexes were investigated using elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance and spectral (IR, NMR and LC-MS) measurements. Salptsmh has also been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. (1)H and (13)C shielding tensors for crystal structure were calculated with GIAO/DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) methods in CDCl3. The complexes were found to have general composition [ML2]. The results of elemental analysis showed 1:2 (metal/ligand) stoichiometry for all the complex. Magnetic and spectral data indicate a square planar geometry for Pd(II) complex and a distorted tetrahedral geometry for Co(II) complexes. The ligand and its metal chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activities using the disk diffusion method against the selected Gram positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Gram negative bacteria: Eschericha coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia. The inhibition activities of these compounds on carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) and carbonic anhydrase I (CA I) have been investigated by comparing IC50 and Ki values and it has been found that Pd(II) complex have more enzyme inhibition efficiency than salptsmh and Co(II) complex.