Anticancer Potential of Diruthenium Complexes with Bridging Hydrocarbyl Ligands from Bioactive Alkynols.

Diruthenacyclopentenone complexes of the general composition [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{µ-η1:η3-CH═C(C(OH)(R))C(═O)}] (2a-c; Cp = η5-C5H5) were synthesized in 94-96% yields from the reactions of [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{µ-η1:η3-C(Ph)═C(Ph)C(═O)}] (1) with 1-ethynylcyclopentanol, 17α-ethynylestradiol, and 17-ethynyltestosterone, respectively, in toluene at reflux. Protonation of 2a-c by HBF4 afforded the corresponding allenyl derivatives [Ru2Cp2(CO)3{µ-η1:η2-CH═C═R}]BF4 (3a-c) in 85-93% yields. All products were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and IR, UV-vis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, 2a and 3a were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and the single-crystal diffraction method was employed to establish the X-ray structures of 2b and 3a. The cytotoxicity in vitro of 2b and 3a-c was evaluated against nine human cancer cell lines (A2780, A2780R, MCF-7, HOS, A549, PANC-1, Caco-2, PC-3, and HeLa), while the selectivity was assessed on normal human lung fibroblast (MRC-5). Overall, complexes exert stronger cytotoxicity than cisplatin, and 3b (comprising 17α-estradiol derived ligand) emerged as the best-performing complex. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry cellular uptake studies in A2780 cells revealed a higher level of internalization for 3b and 3c compared to 2b, 3a, and the reference compound RAPTA-C. Experiments conducted on A2780 cells demonstrated a noteworthy impact of 3a and 3b on the cell cycle, leading to the majority of the cells being arrested in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, 3a moderately induced apoptosis and oxidative stress, while 3b triggered autophagy and mitochondrial membrane potential depletion.

The Gold(I) Complex with Plant Hormone Kinetin Shows Promising In Vitro Anticancer and PPARγ Properties.

Motivated by the clinical success of gold(I) metallotherapeutic Auranofin in the effective treatment of both inflammatory and cancer diseases, we decided to prepare, characterize, and further study the [Au(kin)(PPh3)] complex (1), where Hkin = kinetin, 6-furfuryladenine, for its in vitro anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The results revealed that the complex (1) had significant in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines (A2780, A2780R, PC-3, 22Rv1, and THP-1), with IC50 ≈ 1-5 µM, which was even significantly better than that for the conventional platinum-based drug Cisplatin while comparable with Auranofin. Although its ability to inhibit transcription factor NF-κB activity did not exceed the comparative drug Auranofin, it has been found that it is able to positively influence peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), and as a consequence of this to have the impact of moderating/reducing inflammation. The cellular effects of the complex (1) in A2780 cancer cells were also investigated by cell cycle analysis, induction of apoptosis, intracellular ROS production, activation of caspases 3/7 and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and shotgun proteomic analysis. Proteomic analysis of R2780 cells treated with complex (1) and starting compounds revealed possible different places of the effect of the studied compounds. Moreover, the time-dependent cellular accumulation of copper was studied by means of the mass spectrometry study with the aim of exploring the possible mechanisms responsible for its biological effects.

New glycoconjugation strategies for Ruthenium(II) arene complexes via phosphane ligands and assessment of their antiproliferative activity.

Glycoconjugation is a powerful tool to improve the anticancer activity of metal complexes. Herein, we modified commercial arylphosphanes with carbohydrate-derived fragments for the preparation of novel glycoconjugated ruthenium(II) p-cymene complexes. Specifically, d-galactal and d-allal-derived vinyl epoxides (VEß and VEα) were coupled with (2-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylphosphane, affording the 2,3-unsaturated glycophosphanes 1ß and 1α. Ligand exchange with [Ru(C2O4)(η6-p-cymene)(H2O)] gave the glycoconjugated complexes Ru1ß and Ru1α which were subsequently dihydroxylated with OsO4/N-methylmorpholine N-oxide to Ru2ß and Ru2α containing O-benzyl d-mannose and d-gulose units respectively. Besides, aminoethyl tetra-O-acetyl-ß-d-glucopyranoside was condensed with borane-protected (4-diphenylphosphanyl)benzoic acid by HATU/DIPEA under MW heating, to afford the amide 3∙BH3. Zemplén deacylation with MeONa/MeOH gave the deprotected d-glucopyranoside derivative 4∙BH3. The glycoconjugated phosphane complexes Ru3 and Ru4 were obtained by reaction of the phosphane-boranes 3∙BH3 and 4∙BH3 with [Ru(C2O4)(η6-p-cymene)(H2O)]. The employed synthetic strategies were devised to circumvent unwanted phosphine oxidation. The compounds were purified by silica chromatography, isolated in high yield and purity and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR and multinuclear NMR) techniques. The behaviour of the six glycoconjugated Ru complexes in aqueous solutions was assessed by NMR and MS measurements. All compounds were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity against A2780/A2780R human ovarian and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines, revealing a significant cytotoxicity for complexes containing the 2,3-unsaturated glycosyl unit (Ru1ß, Ru1α). Additional studies on five other human cancer cells, as well as time-dependent toxicity and cell-uptake analyses on ovarian cancer cells, confirmed the prominent activity of these two compounds - higher than cisplatin - and the better performance of the ß anomer. However, Ru1ß, Ru1α did not show preferential activity against cancer cells with respect to fetal lung fibroblast and human embryonic kidney cells as models of normal cells. The effects of the two ruthenium glycoconjugated compounds in A2780 ovarian cancer cells were further investigated by cell cycle analysis, induction of apoptosis, intracellular ROS production, activation of caspases 3/7 and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. The latter is a relevant factor in the mechanism of action of the highly cytotoxic Ru1ß, inducing cell death by apoptosis.

Copper(II) Complexes Containing Natural Flavonoid Pomiferin Show Considerable In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Anti-inflammatory Effects.

A series of new heteroleptic copper(II) complexes of the composition [Cu(L)(bpy)]NO3·2MeOH (1), [Cu(L)(dimebpy)]NO3·2H2O (2), [Cu(L)(phen)]NO3·2MeOH (3), [Cu(L)(bphen)]NO3·MeOH (4), [Cu(L)(dppz)]NO3·MeOH (5) was prepared, where HL = 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-8,8-dimethyl-6-(3-methylbut-2-ene-1-yl)-4H,8H-benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b']dipyran-4-one, (pomiferin) and bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dimebpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, and dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine. The complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared and UV/Vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis and conductivity measurements. The in vitro cytotoxicity, screened against eight human cancer cell lines (breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), osteosarcoma (HOS), lung adenocarcinoma (A549), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3), ovarian carcinoma (A2780), cisplatin-resistant ovarian carcinoma (A2780R), colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and monocytic leukemia (THP-1), revealed the complexes as effective antiproliferative agents, with the IC50 values of 2.2-13.0 µM for the best performing complexes 3 and 5. All the complexes 1-5 showed the best activity against the A2780R cells (IC50 = 2.2-6.6 µM), and moreover, the complexes demonstrated relatively low toxicity on healthy human hepatocytes, with IC50 > 100 µM. The complexes were evaluated by the Annexin V/propidium iodide apoptosis assay, induction of cell cycle modifications in A2780 cells, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), perturbation of mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation-related signaling pathways (NF-κB/AP-1 activity, NF-κB translocation, TNF-α secretion), and tested for nuclease mimicking activity. The obtained results revealed the corresponding complexes to be effective antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory agents.

Platinum(II)-oxalato complexes of seliciclib (CYC202) derivatives show different cellular effects and lesser adverse effects in mouse lymphoma model than cisplatin.

This work presents a deeper pharmacological evaluation of two formerly prepared and characterized, and highly in vitro cytotoxic platinum(II) oxalato complexes [Pt(ox)(L1)2] (1) and [Pt(ox)(L2)2] (2), containing the derivatives of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKi) seliciclib ((R)-roscovitine, CYC202) coordinating as N-donor carrier ligands, i.e., 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(4-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L1) and 2-chloro-N6-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L2). The positive results of in vitro cytotoxicity screening on human cancer cell lines (HeLa, HOS, A2780, A2780R, G361 and MCF7 with IC50 at low micromolar levels) published previously, motivated us to perform extended preclinical in vitro experiments to reveal the mechanisms associated with the induction of cancer cell death. In addition, the in vivo antitumor activity was evaluated using the mouse lymphocytic leukaemia L1210 model. The obtained results revealed that complex 1 exceeds the antitumor effect of cisplatin (as for the extension of life-span of mice) and shows far less adverse effects as compared to reference drug cisplatin. The in vitro and ex vivo studies of cellular effects and molecular mechanisms of cell death induction showed that the mechanism of action of complex 1 is essentially different from that of cisplatin. The obtained results showed a possible way how to obtain antitumor active platinum(II) oxalato complexes with better therapeutic profile than contemporary used platinum-based therapeutics.

Gut Microbial Catabolites of Tryptophan Are Ligands and Agonists of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor: A Detailed Characterization.

We examined the effects of gut microbial catabolites of tryptophan on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Using a reporter gene assay, we show that all studied catabolites are low-potency agonists of human AhR. The efficacy of catabolites differed substantially, comprising agonists with no or low (i3-propionate, i3-acetate, i3-lactate, i3-aldehyde), medium (i3-ethanol, i3-acrylate, skatole, tryptamine), and high (indole, i3-acetamide, i3-pyruvate) efficacies. We displayed ligand-selective antagonist activities by i3-pyruvate, i3-aldehyde, indole, skatole, and tryptamine. Ligand binding assay identified low affinity (skatole, i3-pyruvate, and i3-acetamide) and very low affinity (i3-acrylate, i3-ethanol, indole) ligands of the murine AhR. Indole, skatole, tryptamine, i3-pyruvate, i3-acrylate, and i3-acetamide induced CYP1A1 mRNA in intestinal LS180 and HT-29 cells, but not in the AhR-knockout HT-29 variant. We observed a similar CYP1A1 induction pattern in primary human hepatocytes. The most AhR-active catabolites (indole, skatole, tryptamine, i3-pyruvate, i3-acrylate, i3-acetamide) elicited nuclear translocation of the AhR, followed by a formation of AhR-ARNT heterodimer and enhanced binding of the AhR to the CYP1A1 gene promoter. Collectively, we comprehensively characterized the interactions of gut microbial tryptophan catabolites with the AhR, which may expand the current understanding of their potential roles in intestinal health and disease.

In vitro anticancer active cis-Pt(II)-diiodido complexes containing 4-azaindoles.

4-Azaindole (1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine; 4aza) and its N1-alkylated derivative N1-isopropyl-4-azaindole (1-(propan-2-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine; ip4aza) have been used for the preparation of the cis-diiodido-platinum(II) complexes cis-[Pt(4aza)2I2] (1), cis-[PtI2(ip4aza)2] (2), cis-[Pt(4aza)I2(NH3)] (3) and cis-[PtI2(ip4aza)(NH3)] (4). The prepared complexes were thoroughly characterized (e.g., multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry) and their in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed at human ovarian carcinoma (A2780), cisplatin-resistant ovarian carcinoma (A2780R) and colon carcinoma (HT-29) cell lines, where they showed, in some cases, significantly higher activity than the used reference-drug cisplatin. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity testing at the A2780 and A2780R cells indicated that alkylation of the 4-azaindole moiety at the position of the N1 atom had a positive biological effect, because the ip4aza-containing complexes 2 and 4 showed significantly (p < 0.005) higher cytotoxicity than 4aza-containing analogues 1 and 3. The resistance factors (A2780R/A2780 model) equalled 0.8-1.4, indicating the ability of complexes 1-4 to overcome the acquired resistance of the A2780 cells against cisplatin. Complexes 1 and 2 revealed low toxicity against primary culture of human hepatocytes. The flow cytometry studies of the A2780 cell cycle modification showed that complexes 1-4 induce different cell cycle perturbations as compared with cisplatin, thus suggesting a different mechanism of their antitumor action.

Investigation of Anti-Inflammatory Potential of N-Arylcinnamamide Derivatives.

A series of sixteen ring-substituted N-arylcinnamanilides, previously described as highly antimicrobially effective against a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi, together with two new derivatives from this group were prepared and characterized. Moreover, the molecular structure of (2E)-N-(2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-enamide as a model compound was determined using single-crystal X-ray analysis. All the compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory potential, and most tested compounds significantly attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB activation and were more potent than the parental cinnamic acid. (2E)-N-[2-Chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-phenylprop-2-enamide, (2E)-N-(2,6-dibromophenyl)- 3-phenylprop-2-enamide, and (2E)-N-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-enamide demonstrated the highest inhibition effect on transcription factor NF-κB at the concentration of 2 µM and showed a similar effectiveness as the reference drug prednisone. Several compounds also decreased the level of TNF-α. Nevertheless, subsequent tests showed that the investigated compounds affect neither IκBα level nor MAPKs activity, which suggests that the N-arylcinnamanilides may have a different mode of action to prednisone. The modification of the C(2,5)' or C(2,6)' positions of the anilide core by rather lipophilic and bulky moieties seems to be preferable for the anti-inflammatory potential of these compounds.

Bioactivity of Methoxylated and Methylated 1-Hydroxynaphthalene-2-Carboxanilides: Comparative Molecular Surface Analysis.

A series of twenty-six methoxylated and methylated N-aryl-1-hydroxynaphthalene- 2-carboxanilides was prepared and characterized as potential anti-invasive agents. The molecular structure of N-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide as a model compound was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All the analysed compounds were tested against the reference strain Staphylococcus aureus and three clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus as well as against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. kansasii. In addition, the inhibitory profile of photosynthetic electron transport in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts was specified. In vitro cytotoxicity of the most effective compounds was tested on the human monocytic leukaemia THP-1 cell line. The activities of N-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-, N-(3-fluoro-5-methoxy-phenyl)- and N-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carbox- amide were comparable with or even better than the commonly used standards ampicillin and isoniazid. All promising compounds did not show any cytotoxic effect at the concentration >30 µM. Moreover, an in silico evaluation of clogP features was performed for the entire set of the carboxamides using a range of software lipophilicity predictors, and cross-comparison with the experimentally determined lipophilicity (log k), in consensus lipophilicity estimation, was conducted as well. Principal component analysis was employed to illustrate noticeable variations with respect to the molecular lipophilicity (theoretical/experimental) and rule-of-five violations. Additionally, ligand-oriented studies for the assessment of the three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship profile were carried out with the comparative molecular surface analysis to determine electron and/or steric factors that potentially contribute to the biological activities of the investigated compounds.

Half-Sandwich Ru(II) and Os(II) Bathophenanthroline Complexes Containing a Releasable Dichloroacetato Ligand.

We report on the preparation and thorough characterization of cytotoxic half-sandwich complexes [Ru(η6-pcym)(bphen)(dca)]PF6 (Ru-dca) and [Os(η6-pcym)(bphen)(dca)]PF6 (Os-dca) containing dichloroacetate(1-) (dca) as the releasable O-donor ligand bearing its own cytotoxicity; pcym = 1-methyl-4-(propan-2-yl)benzene (p-cymene), bphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (bathophenanthroline). Complexes Ru-dca and Os-dca hydrolyzed in the water-containing media, which led to the dca ligand release (supported by ¹H NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectra). Mass spectrometry studies revealed that complexes Ru-dca and Os-dca do not interact covalently with the model proteins cytochrome c and lysozyme. Both complexes exhibited slightly higher in vitro cytotoxicity (IC50 = 3.5 µM for Ru-dca, and 2.6 µM for Os-dca) against the A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells than cisplatin (IC50 = 5.9 µM), while their toxicity on the healthy human hepatocytes was found to be IC50 = 19.1 µM for Ru-dca and IC50 = 19.7 µM for Os-dca. Despite comparable cytotoxicity of complexes Ru-dca and Os-dca, both the complexes modified the cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial cytochrome c release by a different way, as revealed by flow cytometry experiments. The obtained results point out the different mechanisms of action between the complexes.

The Forty-Sixth Euro Congress on Drug Synthesis and Analysis: Snapshot †.

The 46th EuroCongress on Drug Synthesis and Analysis (ECDSA-2017) was arranged within the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia from 5-8 September 2017 to get together specialists in medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, pharmaceutical analysis, screening of bioactive compounds, pharmacology and drug formulations; promote the exchange of scientific results, methods and ideas; and encourage cooperation between researchers from all over the world. The topic of the conference, "Drug Synthesis and Analysis," meant that the symposium welcomed all pharmacists and/or researchers (chemists, analysts, biologists) and students interested in scientific work dealing with investigations of biologically active compounds as potential drugs. The authors of this manuscript were plenary speakers and other participants of the symposium and members of their research teams. The following summary highlights the major points/topics of the meeting.

Structural, magnetic and luminescent properties of lanthanide complexes with N-salicylideneglycine.

A series of anionic heavy lanthanide complexes, involving the N-salicylideneglycinato(2-) Schiff base ligand (salgly) and having the general formula K[Ln(salgly)2(H2O)2]∙H2O (1-6), where Ln stands for Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm, was prepared using the one-pot template synthesis. The complexes were thoroughly characterized by elemental and Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analyses (TG/DTA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence spectroscopies, electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry, and their magnetic properties were studied by temperature-dependent dc magnetic measurements using the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The X-ray structure of the terbium(III) complex (2), representing the unique structure between the lanthanide complexes of N-salicylideneamino acids, was determined. The results of spectral and structural studies revealed the isostructural nature of the prepared complexes, in which the lanthanide ion is octacoordinated by two O,N,O-donor salgly ligands and two aqua ligands. The analysis of magnetic data confirmed that the complexes behave as paramagnets obeying the Curie law. The results of photoluminescence spectral studies of the complexes showed the different origin in their luminescent properties between the solid state and solution. An antenna effect of the Schiff base ligand was observed in a powder form of the complex only, while it acts as a fluorophore in a solution.

A Photoactivatable Platinum(IV) Complex Targeting Genomic DNA and Histone Deacetylases.

We report toxic effects of a photoactivatable platinum(IV) complex conjugated with suberoyl-bis-hydroxamic acid in tumor cells. The conjugate exerts, after photoactivation, two functions: activity as both a platinum(II) anticancer drug and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor in cancer cells. This approach relies on the use of a Pt(IV) pro-drug, acting by two independent mechanisms of biological action in a cooperative manner, which can be selectively photoactivated to a cytotoxic species in and around a tumor, thereby increasing selectivity towards cancer cells. These results suggest that this strategy is a valuable route to design new platinum agents with higher efficacy for photodynamic anticancer chemotherapy.

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes with a bridging bis(chalcone) ligand reveal considerable in vitro cytotoxicity on human cancer cells and enhanced selectivity.

A bis(chalcone) molecule (H2L) was synthesized via Aldol's condensation from terephthalaldehyde and 2'-hydroxyacetophenone and it was used as bridging ligand for the preparation of five dinuclear copper(II) complexes of the composition [Cu(NN)(µ-L)Cu(NN)](NO3)2⋅nH2O (n = 0-2) (1-5), where NN stands for a bidentate N-donor ligand such as phen (1,10-phenanthroline, 1), bpy (2,2'-bipyridine, 2), mebpy (5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-dipyridine, 3), bphen (bathophenanthroline, 4) and nphen (5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, 5). The compounds were characterized by different suitable techniques to confirm their purity, composition, and structure. Moreover, the products were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity on a panel of human cancer cell lines: ovarian (A2780), ovarian resistant to cisplatin (A2780R), prostate (PC3), osteosarcoma (HOS), breast (MCF7) and lung (A549), and normal fibroblasts (MRC-5), showing significant cytotoxicity in most cases, with IC50 ≈ 0.35-7.8 µM. Additionally, the time-dependent cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of copper, together with flow cytometric studies concerning cell-cycle arrest, induction of cell death and autophagy and induction of intracellular ROS/superoxide production in A2780 cells, were also performed. The results of biological testing on A2780 cells pointed out a possible mechanism of action characterized by the G2/M cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis by triggering the intrinsic signalling pathway associated with the damage of mitochondrial structure and depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential. SYNOPSIS: Dinuclear Cu(II) complexes bearing a bridging bis(chalcone) ligand revealed high in vitro cytotoxicity, initiated A2780 cell arrest at G2/M phase and efficiently triggered intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

C-Geranylated flavanone diplacone enhances in vitro antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects in its copper(II) complexes.

Two copper(II) complexes containing diplacone (H4dipl), a naturally occurring C-geranylated flavanone derivative, in combination with bathophenanthroline (bphen) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) with the composition [Cu3(bphen)3(Hdipl)2]⋅2H2O (1) and {[Cu(phen)(H2dipl)2]⋅1.25H2O}n (2) were prepared and characterized. As compared to diplacone, the complexes enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity against A2780 and A2780R human ovarian cancer cells (IC50 ≈ 0.4-1.2 µM), human lung carcinoma (A549, with IC50 ≈ 2 µM) and osteosarcoma (HOS, with IC50 ≈ 3 µM). Cellular effects of the complexes in A2780 cells were studied using flow cytometry, covering studies concerning cell-cycle arrest, induction of cell death and autophagy and induction of intracellular ROS/superoxide production. These results uncovered a possible mechanism of action characterized by the G2/M cell cycle arrest. The studies on human endothelial cells revealed that complexes 1 and 2, as well as their parental compound diplacone, do possess anti-inflammatory activity in terms of NF-κB inhibition. As for the effects on PPARα and/or PPARγ, complex 2 reduced the expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and E-selectin suggesting its dual anti-inflammatory capacity. A wide variety of Cu-containing coordination species and free diplacone ligand were proved by mass spectrometry studies in water-containing media, which might be responsible for multimodal effect of the complexes.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of new derivatives of 2-substituted-6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazoles as cholinesterase inhibitors.

A series of novel cholinesterase inhibitors based on 2-substituted 6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazole were synthesised and characterised by IR, (1)H, (13)C and (19)F NMR spectroscopy and HRMS. Purity was checked by elemental analyses. The novel carbamates were tested for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The toxicity of the most active compounds was investigated using a standard in vitro test with HepG2 cells, and the ratio between biological activity and toxicity was determined. In addition, the toxicity of the most active compounds was evaluated against MCF7 cells using the xCELLigence system. Structure-activity relationships reflecting the dependence of cholinesterase inhibitors on the lipophilicity of the compounds as well as on the Taft polar and steric substituent constants are discussed. The specific orientation of the inhibitors in the binding site of acetylcholinesterase was determined using molecular docking of the most active compound.

N6-benzyladenosine derivatives as novel N-donor ligands of platinum(II) dichlorido complexes.

The platinum(II) complexes trans-[PtCl2(Ln)2]∙xSolv 1-13 (Solv = H2O or CH3OH), involving N6-benzyladenosine-based N-donor ligands, were synthesized; L(n) stands for N6-(2-methoxybenzyl)adenosine (L1, involved in complex 1), N6-(4-methoxy-benzyl)adenosine (L2, 2), N6-(2-chlorobenzyl)adenosine (L3, 3), N6-(4-chlorobenzyl)-adenosine (L4, 4), N6-(2-hydroxybenzyl)adenosine (L5, 5), N6-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-adenosine (L6, 6), N6-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)adenosine (L7, 7), N6-(4-fluoro-benzyl)adenosine (L8, 8), N6-(4-methylbenzyl)adenosine (L9, 9), 2-chloro-N6-(3-hydroxy-benzyl)adenosine (L10, 10), 2-chloro-N6-(4-hydroxybenzyl)adenosine (L11, 11), 2-chloro-N6-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)adenosine (L12, 12) and 2-chloro-N6-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)adenosine (L13, 13). The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR and multinuclear (¹H-, ¹³C-, ¹95Pt- and ¹5N-) and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, which proved the N7-coordination mode of the appropriate N6-benzyladenosine derivative and trans-geometry of the title complexes. The complexes 1-13 were found to be non-toxic in vitro against two selected human cancer cell lines (HOS and MCF7; with IC50 > 50.0 µM). However, they were found (by ESI-MS study) to be able to interact with the physiological levels of the sulfur-containing biogenic biomolecule L-methionine by a relatively simple 1:1 exchange mechanism (one L(n) molecule was replaced by one L-methionine molecule), thus forming a mixed-nitrogen/sulfur-ligand dichlorido-platinum(II) coordination species.

Heteroleptic Copper(II) Complexes Containing 2'-Hydroxy-4-(Dimethylamino)Chalcone Show Strong Antiproliferative Activity.

A series of six heteroleptic copper(II) complexes with 2'-hydroxy-4-(dimethylamino)chalcone (HL) with the composition [Cu(N-N)(L)]NO3 (1-6), where N-N stands for dmbpy = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (1), bphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2), dbbpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine (3), nphen = 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (4), bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, (5), and dpa = 2,2'-dipyridylamine (6), was prepared and thoroughly characterized. The in vitro cytotoxicity screening on eight human cancer cell lines identified complex 2, containing the bulkiest N-donor ligands (bphen) as highly cytotoxic against cancer cells, with IC50 values ranking from 1.0 to 2.3 µM, with good selectivity and low toxicity against healthy human fetal lung fibroblasts MRC-5. The cell-based assays, involving the most effective complex 2 in A2780 cancer cells, revealed its strong pro-apoptotic effects based on the effective activation of caspases 3/7, ROS overproduction, and autophagy in the A2780 cells while not impeding the cell cycle and mitochondrial membrane functions. The cellular uptake studies in A2780 and 22Rv1 cells uncovered no intracellular transport of the cationic complex 2, supporting the hypothesis that the in vitro anticancer effects of complex 2 are based on the combined extrinsic activation of apoptosis and autophagy induction.

Highly Cytotoxic Copper(II) Mixed-Ligand Quinolinonato Complexes: Pharmacokinetic Properties and Interactions with Drug Metabolizing Cytochromes P450.

The effects of two anticancer active copper(II) mixed-ligand complexes of the type [Cu(qui)(mphen)]Y·H2O, where Hqui = 2-phenyl-3-hydroxy- 1H-quinolin-4-one, mphen = bathophenanthroline, and Y = NO3 (complex 1) or BF4 (complex 2) on the activities of different isoenzymes of cytochrome P450 (CYP) have been evaluated. The screening revealed significant inhibitory effects of the complexes on CYP3A4/5 (IC50 values were 2.46 and 4.88 µM), CYP2C9 (IC50 values were 16.34 and 37.25 µM), and CYP2C19 (IC50 values were 61.21 and 77.07 µM). Further, the analysis of mechanisms of action uncovered a non-competitive type of inhibition for both the studied compounds. Consequent studies of pharmacokinetic properties proved good stability of both the complexes in phosphate buffer saline (>96% stability) and human plasma (>91% stability) after 2 h of incubation. Both compounds are moderately metabolised by human liver microsomes (<30% after 1 h of incubation), and over 90% of the complexes bind to plasma proteins. The obtained results showed the potential of complexes 1 and 2 to interact with major metabolic pathways of drugs and, as a consequence of this finding, their apparent incompatibility in combination therapy with most chemotherapeutic agents.

Dinuclear doubly bridged phenoxido copper(II) complexes as efficient anticancer agents.

Two cationic [Cu2(L1-2)2](ClO4)2 (1, 2), and four neutral doubly bridged-phenoxido-copper(II) complexes [Cu2(L3-4)2] (3, 4) and [Cu2(L5-6)2(H2O)]‧2H2O (5, 6) as well as 1D polymeric catena-[Cu(L7)] (7), where HL1-2 and H2L3-7 represent tripodal tetradentate pyridyl or aliphatic-amino groups based 2,4-disubstituted phenolates, were synthesized and thoroughly characterized by various spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray analysis. The molecular structures of the complexes exhibited diverse geometrical environments around the central Cu(II) atoms. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of the isolated complexes and selected parent free ligands were screened against some human cancer cell lines (A2780, A2780R, PC-3, 22Rv1, MCF-7). The most promising cytotoxicity against cancer cells were obtained for 1-6, while complex 6 was found as the best performing as compared to the reference drug cisplatin. The cytotoxicity study of complex 6 was therefore extended to wider variety of cancer cell lines (HOS, A549, PANC-1, CaCo2, HeLa) and results revealed its significant cytotoxicity on all investigated human cancer cells. The cell uptake study showed that cytotoxicity of 6 (3 µM concentration and 24 h of incubation) against A2780 cells was almost independent from the intracellular levels of copper. The effect of complexes 4, 6 and 7 on cell cycle of A2780 cells indicates that the mechanism of action in these complexes is not only different from that of cisplatin but also different among them. Complex 7 was able to induce apoptosis in A2780 cells, while complexes 4 and 6 did not and on the other hand, they showed considerable effect on autophagy induction and there are some clues that these complexes were able to induce cuproptosis in A2780 cells.