Docking Studies, Cytotoxicity Evaluation and Interactions of Binuclear Copper(II) Complexes with S-Isoalkyl Derivatives of Thiosalicylic Acid with Some Relevant Biomolecules.

The numerous side effects of platinum based chemotherapy has led to the design of new therapeutics with platinum replaced by another transition metal. Here, we investigated the interactions of previously reported copper(II) complexes containing S-isoalkyl derivatives, the salicylic acid with guanosine-5'-monophosphate and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and their antitumor effects, in a colon carcinoma model. All three copper(II) complexes exhibited an affinity for binding to CT-DNA, but there was no indication of intercalation or the displacement of ethidium bromide. Molecular docking studies revealed a significant affinity of the complexes for binding to the minor groove of B-form DNA, which coincided with DNA elongation, and a higher affinity for binding to Z-form DNA, supporting the hypothesis that the complex binding to CT-DNA induces a local transition from B-form to Z-form DNA. These complexes show a moderate, but selective cytotoxic effect toward colon cancer cells in vitro. Binuclear complex of copper(II) with S-isoamyl derivative of thiosalicylic acid showed the highest cytotoxic effect, arrested tumor cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory molecules pro-IL-1ß, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 in the tissue of primary heterotopic murine colon cancer, which was accompanied by a significantly reduced tumor growth and metastases in the lung and liver.

Complexes of copper(II) with tetradentate S,O-ligands: Synthesis, characterization, DNA/albumin interactions, molecular docking simulations and antitumor activity.

Four new complexes of copper(II) with S,O-tetradentate ligands, derivatives of thiosalicylic acid, encompassing an ethylene-, propylene-, butylene- and pentylene- bridge, were synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, molecular conductance and infrared (IR) spectra. The structures were assumed based on the previously mentioned analyses and confirmed with the results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. The reactivity of complexes towards L-methionine (L-Met), L-cysteine (L-Cys) and guanosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP) was also examined. Complex C1 ([Cu(S,O-ethylene-thiosalicylic acid)(H2O)2]) containing two inert methylene groups in the side chain of ligand shows the highest reactivity, while the least reactive is complex C4 ([Cu(S,O-pentylene-thiosalicylic acid)(H2O)2]) with five methylene groups. All complexes showed the highest reactivity towards L-Met and the lowest reactivity towards 5'-GMP. The interactions of complexes C1-C4 with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) were examined by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption and fluorescence spectral studies, revealing good DNA interaction abilities. All synthesized complexes C1-C4 show to interact with human serum albumin (HSA) with high values of binding constants. Complexes interaction with DNA/HSA was also confirmed using molecular docking simulations. All synthesized complexes reduce viability of human colon, breast and lung cancer cells, evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) colorimetric technique. The complex [Cu(S,O-pentylene- thiosalicylic acid)(H2O)2] showed the highest binding affinity constants to DNA/HSA and highest cytotoxicity, thus presenting a good candidate for further pharmacological research in the field of colon, breast and lung cancer therapy.

Virtual screening, drug-likeness analysis, and molecular docking study of potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 main protease inhibitors.

Due to the length of time required to develop specific antiviral agents, the World Health Organization adopted the strategy of repurposing existing medications to treat Coronavirus disease 2019 infection. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease is possible biological target for potential antiviral drugs. We selected various compounds from PubChem database based on the structure of main protease inhibitors in Protein Data Bank database. Ten compounds showed nontumorigenic and nonmutagenic potential and met Egan's and Lipinski's rules. Molecular docking analysis was performed using AutoDock Vina software. Based on number and type of key binding interactions, as well as docking scores, we selected compounds 6, 8, and 17 that demonstrated the highest binding affinity for the target protein. Molecular dynamics simulations were then carried out on the protein-top docked ligand complexes which were subjected to molecular mechanics/generalized Born and surface area calculations. The molecular dynamics simulation results indicated that protein-top docked ligand complexes showed good conformational stability. Among analyzed molecules, compound 17 emerged as the best in silico hit based on the docking score, MM/GBSA binding energy and MD results.

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of binuclear copper(II)-complexes with some S-isoalkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid. Crystal structure of the binuclear copper(II)-complex with S-isopropyl derivative of thiosalicylic acid.

Isoalkyl (isoalkyl = isopropyl-(L1), isobutyl-(L2) and isoamyl-(L3)) derivatives of thiosalicylic acid (TSA) were prepared by alkylation of TSA with corresponding isoalkyl-chlorides in the alkaline water-ethanol solution. The new free copper(II)-complexes with corresponding S-isoalkyl derivatives of TSA (C1-copper(II)-complex with S-isopropyl derivative of thiosalicylic acid, C2-copper(II)-complex with S-isobutyl derivative of thiosalicylic acid and C3-copper(II)-complex with S-isoamyl derivative of thiosalicylic acid) have been synthesized by direct reaction of copper(II)-nitrate with ligand precursor and then characterized by microanalysis, infrared spectra (IR) and EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) spectra. The spectroscopically predicted structure of the obtained binuclear copper(II)-complex with S-isopropyl derivative of thiosalicylic acid was confirmed by X-ray analysis. Single crystals suitable for X-ray measurements were obtained by slow crystallization from a water solution. Newly synthesized precursors S-isoalkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid and corresponding copper(II)-complexes moderately reduced viability of human and murine lung cancer cells, they showed similar cytotoxic effect on human colorectal cancer cells as cisplatin and lower cytotoxic effect than cisplatin toward normal fibroblasts, evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric technique. All new complexes exhibited apoptotic effect toward lung cancer cells, stronger than cisplatin, whereas only C3 induced significant apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. Complex C1 showed significant antiproliferative effect against murine lung cancer cells, LLC1, while C2 reduced expression of Ki67 in human colorectal cancer cells. All tested complexes induced cell cycle arrest of HCT116 cells in G2/M phase.

Stereospecific ligands and their complexes. XXII. Synthesis and antitumor activity of palladium(II) complexes with some esters of (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-(2,2'-di(4-hydroxy-benzyl))-acetic acid.

Four new ligands and their palladium(II) complexes of general formula R2-S,S-eddtyr (L1-L4) and [PdCl2(R2-S,S-eddtyr)] (C1-C4) (R=ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl and n-pentyl; S,S-eddtyr·2HCl=ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-(2,2'-di(4-hydroxy-benzyl))-acetic acid dihydrochloride have been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, infrared, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity for ligands and complexes on two different cell lines (human breast cancer, MDA-MB-231 and human lung cancer, A549 cell lines) and human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (CLL) was investigated using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay.

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of a new palladium(II) complex with a coumarine-derived ligand.

The new coumarine derivative, 3-(1-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethylidene)chroman-2,4--dione, and corresponding palladium(II) complex have been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, infrared, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The proposed structure of the complex was confirmed on the basis of the X-ray structural study. The palladium(II) complex decreased viability of L929 mouse fibrosarcoma, U251 human glioma and B16 mouse melanoma cell lines in a dose dependent manner, while its ligand exhibited no significant cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effect of the complex was comparable to that of cisplatin, and mediated by apoptosis associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase activation. Therefore, our results indicate that newly synthesized palladium(II) complex might be a potential candidate for anticancer therapy.

Benzyl 2-(benzylsulfanyl)benzoate.

In the title compound, C(21)H(18)O(2)S, the central aromatic ring makes dihedral angles of 5.86 (12) and 72.02 (6)° with the rings of the terminal O-benzyl and S-benzyl groups, respectively. The dihedral angle between the peripheral phenyl rings is 66.16 (6)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. These dimers are linked via C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming a three-dimensional network.