Therapeutic transition-metal complexes of vitamin B6 related compounds

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Copper Complexes with 1,10-Phenanthroline Derivatives: Underlying Factors Affecting Their Cytotoxicity

Publication . 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 Costa

The 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.

2020-07Journal article

Open Access

Exploring the therapeutic potential of Cu(II)-complexes with ligands derived from pyridoxal

Publication . Nunes, Patrique; Marques, Fernanda; Cavaco, Isabel; Pessoa, Joao Costa; Correia, Isabel

Three 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.

2020-07Journal article

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