Bioactive and luminescent indole and isatin based gold(i) derivatives.

A series of luminescent monometallic [AuL(PPh3)] (1-3) and bimetallic [Au2(µ-dppe)L2] (4, 6, 8) and [Au2(µ-dppp)L2] (5, 7, 9) complexes, where L is either 4-cyano-indole, isatin, or 5,7-dimethyl-isatin, and dppe and dppp are 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, respectively, have been synthesised. X-ray diffraction confirmed the tendency to establish aurophillic interations for those complexes containing dppe. Luminescence studies and theoretical calculations revealed a different origin for both families, i.e. indole and isatin species. Thus, indole derivatives presented a ligand-to-ligand-charge-transfer transition (LLCT) from the indole to the PPh3 fragment, whereas for the isatin derivatives an intraligand-charge-transfer transition (ILCT) within the isatin fragment is proposed. In both cases, the gold centre was slightly implicated as a ligand-to-metal-charge transfer transition (LMCT) (from the indole/isatin to Au(i)). Cell antiproliferative assays in lung cancer cells (A549), leukemia Jurkat-pLVTHM and Jurkat-shBak cells (cisplatin sensitive and resistant, respectively) showed excellent cytotoxic values (10.11-0.28 µM), showing the leukemia cells to be the most sensitive and the bimetallic species to be the most active agents. Preliminary studies associated the cytotoxicity with a combination of different factors, the metallic fragment being mainly responsible. Remarkably, these complexes are able to inhibit the cellular growth of cisplatin resistant Jurkat-shBak cells highlighting their promising future as an alternative anticancer agent.

Synthesis of Gold(III) Complexes with Bidentate Amino-Thiolate Ligands as Precursors of Novel Bifunctional Acyclic Diaminocarbenes.

Two neutral bis(pentafluorophenyl)thiolate gold(III) complexes with the unsymmetrical S^N ligands 2-aminothiophenol or cysteamine have been synthesized and their reactivity has been studied. Homo- and heterodinuclear compounds were obtained by their coordination to gold(I) or silver(I) derivatives through the sulfur atom. Interestingly, a tetranuclear derivative bearing short gold(I)···gold(I) and the more unusual gold(I)···gold(III) interactions has been prepared. These amino-thiolate derivatives can be used as precursors for the synthesis of novel gold(III) acyclic diaminocarbene complexes by reaction with isocyanides CNR. The nucleophilic attack of the amino group to isocyanide molecules affords the synthesis of unprecedented bidentate C^S acyclic diaminocarbene ligands. All of the complexes are air- and moisture-stable at room temperature and have been spectroscopically and structurally characterized.

Cytotoxicity and biodistribution studies of luminescent Au(i) and Ag(i) N-heterocyclic carbenes. Searching for new biological targets.

A range of fluorescent and biologically compatible gold(i)-N-heterocyclic carbenes bearing acridine as a wingtip group and either a 2-mercaptopyridine or a tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-ß-d-glucopyranoside as an ancillary ligand has been synthesised. Their luminescence, cytotoxicity and biodistribution have been investigated together with those of analogous gold(i) and silver(i) chloride- and bis-NHC complexes. All complexes displayed emissions based on IL transitions centred on the acridine moiety. The cytotoxic activity measured in lung, A549, and pancreatic, MiaPaca2, carcinoma cell lines revealed a general cytotoxicity pattern (thiolate > biscarbene > chloride derivatives) and flow cytometry assays pointed towards apoptosis as the cell death mechanism. Moreover, fluorescence cell microscopy disclosed an unusual biodistribution behavior, being mainly localised in lysosomes and to a lesser extent in the nucleus. Preliminary DNA interaction experiments suggested the metal fragment and not the acridine moiety as responsible for such biodistribution, which widen the scope for new biological targets.

Bioactive gold(i) complexes with 4-mercaptoproline derivatives.

Unprecedented gold(i) bioconjugates bearing non-proteinogenic amino acid 4-mercaptoproline species as bioorganic ligands have been prepared. Firstly, the synthesis of Boc-Pro(SH)-OMe (1) has been accomplished by standard procedures. The subsequent reaction of 1 with [AuCl(PR3)] gives complexes Boc-Pro(SAuPR3)-OMe (PR3 = PPh3 (2), PPh2Py (3)). Starting from complex 2 several structural modifications have been performed, in addition to the incorporation of a different phosphine in 3, such as the formation of the acid Boc-Pro(SAuPPh3)-OH (4), the synthesis of a dipeptide derivative by coupling the amino acid glycine tert-butyl ester Boc-Pro(SAuPPh3)-Gly-O(t)Bu (5), or the coordination of another gold phosphine fragment to the sulfur atom as in [Boc-Pro(SAuPPh3)2-OMe]OTf (6). The cytotoxic activity in vitro of these complexes has been evaluated against three different tumor human cell lines, A549 (lung carcinoma), Jurkat (T-cell leukaemia) and MiaPaca2 (pancreatic carcinoma). All the complexes displayed excellent cytotoxic activity with IC50 values in the low µM range and even in the nM range in some cases. Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) observed from this family of complexes opens the possibility of designing more potent and selective promising gold(i) anticancer agents.

Group 11 complexes with amino acid derivatives: Synthesis and antitumoral studies.

Gold(I), gold(III), silver(I) and copper(I) complexes with modified amino acid esters and phosphine ligands have been prepared in order to test their cytotoxic activity. Two different phosphine fragments, PPh3 and PPh2py (py=pyridine), have been used. The amino acid esters have been modified by introducing an aromatic amine as pyridine that coordinates metal fragments through the nitrogen atom, giving complexes of the type [M(L)(PR3)](+) or [AuCl3(L)] (L=l-valine-N-(4-pyridylcarbonyl) methyl ester (L1), l-alanine-N-(4-pyridylcarbonyl) methyl ester (L2), l-phenylalanine-N-(4-pyridylcarbonyl) methyl-ester) (L3); M=Au(I), Ag(I), Cu(I), PR3=PPh3, PPh2py). The in vitro cytotoxic activity of metal complexes was tested against four tumor human cell lines and one tumor mouse cell line. A metabolic activity test (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, MTT) was used and IC50 values were compared with those obtained for cisplatin. Several complexes displayed significant cytotoxic activities. In order to determine whether antiproliferation and cell death are associated with apoptosis, NIH-3T3 cells were exposed to five selected complexes (Annexin V+ FITC, PI) and analyzed by flow cytometry. These experiments showed that the mechanism by which the complexes inhibit cell proliferation inducing cell death in NIH-3T3 cells is mainly apoptotic.

Highly cytotoxic bioconjugated gold(I) complexes with cysteine-containing dipeptides.

Several gold(I) complexes with cysteine-containing dipeptides have been prepared starting from cystine by coupling different amino acids and using several orthogonal protections. The first step is the reaction of cystine, where the sulfur centre is protected as disulfide, with Boc2 O in order to protect the amino group, followed by coupling of an amino acid ester; finally the disulfide bridge is broken with mercaptoethanol to afford the dipeptide derivative. Further reaction with [AuCl(PPh3 )] gives the gold-dipeptide-phosphine species. Starting from these formally gold(I) thiolate-dipeptide phosphine complexes with the general formula [Au(SR)(PR3 )] different structural modifications, such as change in the type of the amino protecting group, the type of phosphine, the number of gold(I) atoms per molecule, or the use of a non-proteinogenic conformationally restricted amino acid ester, were introduced in order to evaluate their influence in the biological activity of the final complexes. The cytotoxic activity, in vitro, of these complexes was evaluated against different tumour human cell lines (A549, MiaPaca2 and Jurkat). The complexes show an outstanding cytotoxic activity with IC50 values in the very low micromolar range. Structure-activity relationship studies from the complexes open the possibility of designing more potent and promising gold(I) anticancer agents.

The fluxional amine gold(III) complex as an excellent catalyst and precursor of biologically active acyclic carbenes.

A new amine gold(III) complex [Au(C6F5)2(DPA)]ClO4 with the di-(2-picolyl)amine (DPA) ligand has been synthesised. In the solid state the complex has a chiral amine nitrogen because the ligand coordinates to the gold centre through one nitrogen atom from a pyridine and through the NH moiety, whereas in solution it shows a fluxional behaviour with a rapid exchange between the pyridine sites. This complex can be used as an excellent synton to prepare new gold(III) carbene complexes by the reaction with isocyanide CNR. The resulting gold(III) derivatives have unprecedented bidentate C^N acyclic carbene ligands. All the complexes have been spectroscopically and structurally characterized. Taking advantage of the fluxional behaviour of the amine complex, its catalytic properties have been tested in several reactions with the formation of C-C and C-N bonds. The complex showed excellent activity with total conversion, without the presence of a co-catalyst, and with a catalyst loading as low as 0.1%. These complexes also present biological properties, and cytotoxicity studies have been performed in vitro against three tumour human cell lines, Jurkat (T-cell leukaemia), MiaPaca2 (pancreatic carcinoma) and A549 (lung carcinoma). Some of them showed excellent cytotoxic activity compared with the reference cisplatin.

Gold(I) thiolates containing amino acid moieties. Cytotoxicity and structure-activity relationship studies.

Several gold(I) complexes containing a thiolate ligand functionalised with several amino acid or peptide moieties of the type [Au(SPyCOR)(PPh2R')] (where R = OH, amino acid or dipeptide and R' = Ph or Py) were prepared. These thiolate gold complexes bearing biological molecules possess potential use as antitumor agents. Cytotoxicity assays in different tumour cell lines such as A549 (lung carcinoma), Jurkat (T-cell leukaemia) and MiaPaca2 (pancreatic carcinoma) revealed that the complexes exhibit good antiproliferative activity, with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Several structural modifications such as in the type of phosphine, number of metal atoms and amino acid (type, stereochemistry and functionalisation) were carried out in order to establish the structure-activity relationship in this family of complexes, which has led to the design of new and more potent cytotoxic complexes. Observations of different cellular events after addition of the complexes indicated the possible mechanism of action or the biological targets of this type of new gold(I) drug.

Structural and photophysical study on heterobimetallic complexes with d8-d10 interactions supported by carborane ligands: theoretical analysis of the emissive behaviour.

Heterobimetallic complexes of formula [M{(PPh2)2C2B9H10}(S2C2B10 H10)M'(PPh3)] (M=Pd, Pt; M'=Au, Ag, Cu) and [Ni{(PPh2)2C2B9H10}(S2C2B10H10)Au(PPh3)] were obtained from the reaction of [M{(PPh2)2C2B10H10}(S2C2B10H10)] (M=Pd, Pt) with [M'(PPh3)](+) (M'=Au, Ag, Cu) or by one-pot synthesis from [(SH2C2B10H10], (PPh2 )2C2B10H10, NiCl2 ⋅6 H2 O, and [Au(PPh3)](+). They display d(8)-d(10) intermetallic interactions and emit red light in the solid state at 77 K. Theoretical studies on [M{(PPh2)2C2B9H10}(S2C2B10H10)Au(PPh3)] (M=Pd, Pt, Ni) attribute the luminescence to ligand (thiolate, L)-to-"P2-M-S2" (ML') charge-transfer (LML'CT) transitions for M=Pt and to metal (M)-to-"P2-M-S2" (ML') charge-transfer (MML'CT) transitions for M=Ni, Pd.

Strong inhibition of thioredoxin reductase by highly cytotoxic gold(I) complexes. DNA binding studies.

Biological properties of a series of aminophosphine-thiolate gold(I) complexes [Au(SR)(PPh2NHpy)] [Ph2PNHpy=2-(diphenylphosphinoamino)pyridine; HSR=2-mercaptopyridine (2-HSpy) (3), 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2-H2-mna) (4), 2-thiouracil (2-HTU) (5) or 2-thiocytosine (2-HTC) (6)] and [Au(SR){PPh2NH(Htrz)}] [Ph2PNH(Htrz)=3-(diphenylphosphinoamino)-1,2,4-triazole]; HSR=2-mercaptopyridine (2-HSpy) (7), 2-thiocytosine (2-HTC) (8) or 6-thioguanine (6-HTG) (9) have been studied. Their antitumor properties have been tested in vitro against two tumor human cell lines, HeLa (derived from cervical cancer) and MCF-7 (derived from breast cancer), using a metabolic activity test (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, MTT). Some of them showed excellent cytotoxic activity. With the aim to obtain more information about the mechanisms of action of these derivatives, the interactions of complexes 3, 5, 7 and 9 with thioredoxin reductase in HeLa cells were studied. They showed a potent inhibition of thioredoxin reductase activity. In order to complete this study, interactions of the complexes with calf thymus (CT-) DNA and with different bacterial DNAs, namely the plasmid pEMBL9 and the promoter region of the furA (ferric uptake regulator A) gene from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 were investigated. Although interactions of complexes with CT-DNA have been verified, none of them cause significant changes in its structure.

Iridium(III) complexes with polypyridine ligands coordinated as N-heterocyclic carbenes. Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties.

Unsaturated [Tp(Me2)Ir(III)] fragments, readily generated from compounds [Tp(Me2)Ir(C(6)H(5))(2)(N(2))], (1a) and [Tp(Me2)Ir(η(4)-CH(2)=C(Me)C(Me)=CH(2)] (1b) (Tp(Me2) = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate), induce the isomerisation of the polypyridines, 2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2':6'2''-terpyridine, to form complexes that contain the carbene tautomer of these ligands. For terpy, a binuclear compound has also been isolated, in which this molecule bridges two Ir(III) centres, thanks to its coordination as a bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene. The new compounds have been structurally authenticated by X-ray crystallography and their photophysical properties have been investigated.

Conjugates of ferrocene with biological compounds. Coordination to gold complexes and antitumoral properties.

Several bioconjugates of ferrocene with biological compounds such as aminoacid esters and related species have been prepared by reaction of chlorocarbonyl ferrocene with the corresponding amino acid ester (histidine methyl ester, tryptophan methyl ester, methionine methyl ester and lysine ethyl ester) or histamine or prolinamide in the presence of NEt(3). The reaction of the tryptophan or prolinamide ferrocene conjugates with [Au(acac)(PR(3))] (acac=acetylacetonate) results in the substitution of the proton of the cyclic NH groups by the fragment AuPR(3)(+) affording the complexes [Au(FcCO-tryptophan-OMe)(PR(3))] or [Au(FcCO-prolinamide)(PR(3))] (Fc=ferrocenyl group). The reaction of FcCO-Met-OMe with [Au(OTf)(PR(3))] (OTF=trifluoromethysulfonate) or [Au(C(6)F(5))(3)(OEt(2))] yields the gold(I) or gold(III) derivatives [Au(FcCO-Met-OMe)(PR(3))]OTf or [Au(C(6)F(5))(3)(FcCO-Met-OMe)], respectively. Cytotoxicity studies towards several cancer lines such as MCF-7, HeLa or NIE-115 have been performed. The ferrocene bioconjugates show no activity whereas the gold complexes exhibit antiproliferative effect. Preliminary studies of interaction of compounds with cells were carried out with the goal of increasing our knowledge on the mechanism of action of these potential drugs.

Luminescence of five-coordinated nickel(ii) complexes with substituted-8-hydroxyquinolines and macrocyclic ligands.

A series of heteroleptic quinolinolate pentacoordinated nickel(ii) complexes, [Ni(mcN(3))(R(1),R(2),R(3)-8-hq)](PF(6)), were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for [(Me(3)-mcN(3))Ni(N,O-2-CN-8-hq)][PF(6)] (6a), [(Me(4)-mcN(3))Ni(N,O-8-hq)][PF(6)] (2b) and [(Me(4)-mcN(3))Ni(N,O-5,7-I(2)-8-hq)][PF(6)] (5b) indicate that these complexes consist of a square-pyramidal ligand arrangement containing one chelating quinolinolate and one macrocyclic ligand (mcN(3)). Variation of the substituents on quinolinolate ligands imposes obvious electronic or structural effects on the nickel atom. These chromophores absorb moderately in the visible region and emit in the yellowish-green spectral region from a quinolinolate-centered intraligand charge-transfer excited state. The emission maxima are in the range 520-548 nm, with quantum yields between 0.11 and 1.63%, in deoxygenated organic solvents at room temperature. TD-DFT calculations allow exploration of the photophysical properties of complex [(Me(4)-mcN(3))Ni(N,O-8-hq)][PF(6)] and reveal the influence of the quinolinolate ligand on the HOMO/LUMO energies and oscillator strengths.

Metallocyclo- and polyphosphazenes containing gold or silver: thermolytic transformation into nanostructured materials.

A cyclotriphosphazene bearing two 4-oxypyridine groups on the same phosphorus atom, gem-[N(3)P(3)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2)(OC(5)H(4)N-4)(2)] (I), and its analogous polymer [{NP(O(2)C(12)H(8))}(0.7){NP(OC(5)H(4)N-4)(2)}(0.3)](n) (II), have been used to prepare gold or silver, cyclic and polymeric, metallophosphazenes. The following complexes, gem-[N(3)P(3)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2)(OC(5)H(4)N-4{ML})(2)] (ML=Au(C(6)F(5)) (1) or Au(C(6)F(5))(3) (2)), [N(3)P(3)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2)(OC(5)H(4)N-4{AuPPh(3)})(2)][NO(3)](2) (3), and [N(3)P(3)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2)(OC(5)H(4)N-4{AgPPh(2)R})(2)][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (R=Ph (4) or Me (5)) have been obtained. Complexes 1 and 4 are excellent models for the preparation of the analogous polymers [{NP(O(2)C(12)H(8))}(0.7){NP(OC(5)H(4)N-4{ML})(2)}(0.3)](n) (ML=Au(C(6)F(5)) (P1), Ag(OSO(2)CF(3))PPh(3) (P2)). All complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, various spectroscopic methods, and mass spectrometry. The polymers were further investigated by thermochemical methods (thermogravimetric analysis) and differential scanning calorimetry. For compounds 1-5 and for the starting phosphazene I, a mixture of different stereoisomers may be expected. The stereochemistry in solution has been studied by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy studies, which provided evidence for interconversion processes that involve changes in the chirality of a 2,2'-dioxybiphenyl group. A single-crystal X-ray analysis of the gold complex 2 confirmed not only the proposed structure, but also S,S and R,R configurations at the two biphenoxy-substituted phosphorus centers, in contrast to those observed for the precursor I. Pyrolysis of these new metallophosphazenes was also studied. Notably, pyrolysis of the gold derivatives gave macroporous metallic gold sponges without the requirement of either an external reducing agent or a porous support. These materials were all characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

New palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with 9-aminoacridine: structures, luminiscence, theoretical calculations, and antitumor activity.

The new complexes [Pd(dmba)( N10-9AA)(PPh 3)]ClO 4 ( 1), [Pt(dmba)( N9-9AA)(PPh 3)]ClO 4 ( 2), [Pd(dmba)( N10-9AA)Cl] ( 3), and [Pd(C 6F 5)( N10-9AA)(PPh 3)Cl] ( 4) (9-AA = 9-aminoacridine; dmba = N,C-chelating 2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl) have been prepared. The crystal structures have been established by X-ray diffraction. In complex 2, an anagostic C-H...Pt interaction is observed. All complexes are luminescent in the solid state at room temperature, showing important differences between the palladium and platinum complexes. Complex 2 shows two structured emission bands at high and low energies in the solid state, and the lifetimes are in agreement with excited states of triplet parentage. Density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory calculations for complex 2 have been done. Values of IC 50 were also calculated for the new complexes 1- 4 against the tumor cell line HL-60. All of the new complexes were more active than cisplatin (up to 30-fold in some cases). The DNA adduct formation of the new complexes synthesized was followed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the modifications caused by the complexes on plasmid DNA pB R322 were also obtained.

Novel gold(I) 7-azacoumarin complex: synthesis, structure, optical properties, and cytotoxic effects.

A mixture of pyridoxalrhodanine, triethylphosphinegold(I) chloride, and sodium methoxide in methanol unexpectedly afforded the azacoumarin complex [Au(TS)(PEt3)] [HTS = 5-(hydroxymethyl)-8-methyl-3-thiol-7-azacoumarin], which was characterized by X-ray diffractometry. Its crystals consist of independent molecules in which the metal atom is bound to the azacoumarin [Au-S = 2.9458(18) A] and the phosphine [Au-P = 2.262(2) A] in an almost linear arrangement [P1-Au1-S1 = 176.93(7) degrees]. The complex showed better in vitro antitumor activity than cisplatin against the cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780cis.

La germinacion en las semillas de lenteja con la administracion de medicamentos homeopaticos endicados en la desnutricion / Germinationm of lentil seeds using homeopathic medicaments that are indicated on malnutrition

El presente estudio se realizo en el laboratorio de Ciencias Experimentales del Centro Universitario de Cuautitlan Izcalli (CUCI) utilizando medicamentos homeopaticos indicados en la desnutricion (Natrum muriatico, Phosphoro, Silicea terra, Zincum metallicum) a la sexta centesimal aplicados a semillas de lenteja, confirmando que los medicamentos homeopaticos no tienen efecto placebo, y reforazando su base para prescribir n la ley de semejanetes, pues cada medicamento genera caracteristicas particulares que ademas fortalece a la individualidad morbosa y medicamentosa.