Browsing by Author "Nunes, Patrique"
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- Copper Complexes with 1,10-Phenanthroline Derivatives: Underlying Factors Affecting Their CytotoxicityPublication . Nunes, Patrique; Correia, Isabel; Marques, Fernanda; Matos, Antonio Pedro; dos Santos, Margarida M. C.; Azevedo, Cristina G.; Capelo, Jose-Luis; Santos, Hugo M.; Gama, Sofia; Pinheiro, Teresa; Cavaco, Isabel; Pessoa, Joao CostaThe interpretation of in vitro cytotoxicity data of Cu(II)-1,10-phenanthroline (phen) complexes normally does not take into account the speciation that complexes undergo in cell incubation media and its implications in cellular uptake and mechanisms of action. We synthesize and test the activity of several distinct Cu(II)-phen compounds; up to 24 h of incubation, the cytotoxic activity differs for the Cu complexes and the corresponding free ligands, but for longer incubation times (e.g., 72 h), all compounds display similar activity. Combining the use of several spectroscopic, spectrometric, and electrochemical techniques, the speciation of Cu-phen compounds in cell incubation media is evaluated, indicating that the originally added complex almost totally decomposed and that Cu(II) and phen are mainly bound to bovine serum albumin. Several methods are used to disclose relationships between structure, activity, speciation in incubation media, cellular uptake, distribution of Cu in cells, and cytotoxicity. Contrary to what is reported in most studies, we conclude that interaction with cell components and cell death involves the separate action of Cu ions and phen molecules, not [Cu(phen)(n)] species. This conclusion should similarly apply to many other Cu-ligand systems reported to date.
- Exploring the cytotoxic activity of new phenanthroline salicylaldimine Zn(II) complexesPublication . Matos, Cristina P.; Addis, Yemataw; Nunes, Patrique; Barroso, Sonia; Alho, Irina; Martins, Marta; Matos, Antonio P. A.; Marques, Fernanda; Cavaco, Isabel; Pessoa, Joao Costa; Correia, IsabelZinc(II) complexes bearing N-salicylideneglycinate (Sal-Gly) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or phenanthroline derivatives [NN= 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-amine-1,10-phenanthroline (amphen), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) and 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline] are synthesized. Complexes formulated as [Zn(NN)(2)(H2O)(2)](2+) (NN = phen and amphen), are also prepared. The cytotoxicity of the compounds is evaluated towards a panel of human cancer cells: ovarian (A2780), breast (MCF7) and cervical (HeLa), as well as non-tumoral V79 fibroblasts. All compounds display higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin (IC50 = 22.5 +/- 5.0 mu M) towards ovarian cells, showing IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Overall, all compounds show higher selectivity for the A2780 cells than for the non tumoral cells and higher selectivity indexes (IC50(V79)/IC50(A2780) than cisplatin. [Zn(Sal-Gly)(NNI(H2O)] complexes induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in A2780 cells, except [Zn(Sal-Gly)(Bphen)(H2O)], one of the most cytotoxic of the series. The cellular uptake in the ovarian cells analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spectrometry indicates different Zn distribution profiles. Transmission electronic microscopy shows mitochondria alterations and apoptotic features consistent with caspase activationells incubated with EZn(Sal-Gly)(amphen)(H2O)] present additional nuclear membrane alterations in agreement with significant association with the nucleus. The increase of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation forms could be related to apoptosis induction. [Zn(NN)(2)(H2O)(2)](2+) complexes have high ability to bind DNA through intercalation/groove binding, and circular dichroism data suggests that the main type of species that interact with DNA is [Zn(NN)](2+). Studies varying the % of fetal bovine serum (1-15%) in cell media show that albumin binding decreases the complex activity, indicating that distinct speciation of Zn- and phen-containing species in cell media may affect the cytotoxicity.
- Exploring the therapeutic potential of Cu(II)-complexes with ligands derived from pyridoxalPublication . Nunes, Patrique; Marques, Fernanda; Cavaco, Isabel; Pessoa, Joao Costa; Correia, IsabelThree new copper(II) complexes formulated as [Cu(L)(X)], where X = H2O or Cl and H2L is a Schiff base (H2L1,2) or its reduced version ((H3LCl)-Cl-3) derived from pyridoxal, are prepared, as well as two ternary complexes [Cu(L) (phen)] also containing 1,10-phenanthroline. All compounds are characterized by the usual techniques: elemental analyses, ESI mass spectrometry, UV-Vis absorption, FTIR and EPR spectroscopies. The ligands co-ordinate the Cu(II) center forming complexes with square-planar based geometries. Their antioxidant properties are evaluated with a radical scavenging activity assay, with one of the ligand precursors showing activity higher than the positive control, ascorbic acid. The antiproliferative activity of all compounds is evaluated against two cancer cell lines: ovarian (A2780) and breast (MCF7). All complexes show moderate to excellent activity with the ternary Cu-complexes showing IC50 values between 0.7 and 9.3 mu M after 24 h of incubation, values much lower than those reported for cisplatin, the reference drug. The hydrolytic stability of the complexes and their ability to bind albumin and DNA are evaluated by spectroscopic techniques, showing that the compounds bind bovine serum albumin. The [Cu(L)(phen)] complexes show ability to target DNA via intercalation.
- Therapeutic potential of vanadium complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline ligands, quo vadis? Fate of complexes in cell media and cancer cellsPublication . Nunes, Patrique; Correia, Isabel; Cavaco, Isabel; Marques, Fernanda; Pinheiro, Teresa; Avecilla, Fernando; Pessoa, Joao Costa(VO)-O-IV-complexes formulated as [(VO)-O-IV(OSO3)(phen)(2)] (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [(VO)-O-IV(OSO3) (Me(2)phen)(2)] (2) (Me(2)phen = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and [(VO)-O-IV(OSO3)(amphen)(2)] (3) (amphen = 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline) were prepared and stability in cell incubation media evaluated. Their cytotoxicity was determined against the A2780 (ovarian), MCF7 (breast) and PC3 (prostate) human cancer cells at different incubation times. While at 3 and 24 h the cytotoxicity differs for complexes and corresponding free ligands, at 72 h incubation all compounds are equally active presenting low IC50 values. Upon incubation of A2780 cells with 1-3, cellular distribution of vanadium in cytosol, membranes, nucleus and cytoskeleton, indicate that the uptake of V is low, particularly for 1, and that the uptake pattern depends on the ligand. Nuclear microscopic techniques are used for imaging and elemental quantification in whole PC3 cells incubated with 1. Once complexes are added to cell culture media, they decompose, and with time most V-IV oxidizes to V-V-species. Modeling of speciation when [(VO)-O-IV(OSO3)(phen)(2)] (1) is added to cell media is presented. At lower concentrations of 1, (VO)-O-IV- and phen-containing species are mainly bound to bovine serum albumin, while at higher concentrations [(VO)-O-IV (phen)n](2+)-complexes become relevant, being predicted that the species taken up and mechanisms of action operating depend on the total concentration of complex. This study emphasizes that for these (VO)-O-IV-systems, and probably for many others involving oxidovanadium or other labile metal complexes, it is not possible to identify active species or propose mechanisms of cytotoxic action without evaluating speciation occurring in cell media.