Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ester Giorgi, Francesca Binacchi, Carlo Marotta, Damiano Cirri, Chiara Gabbiani, Alessandro Pratesi
Summary: Despite progress, cancer still poses challenges due to side effects, resistance, and poor selectivity of current metal-based therapies. New strategies reviewed include using heterobimetallic complexes containing different metal centers and conjugating metal complexes to target cancer cells. Examples of targeting organelles and the entire cancer cell were highlighted.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rossana Galassi, Lorenzo Luciani, Junbiao Wang, Silvia Vincenzetti, Lishan Cui, Augusto Amici, Stefania Pucciarelli, Cristina Marchini
Summary: This article reviews recent scientific findings on two classes of gold compounds containing phosphane or carbene ligands, as well as the recent developments in the application of Auranofin for breast cancers.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Abate, Federica Carnamucio, Ottavia Giuffre, Claudia Foti
Summary: The study of metal complexes and metal-based nanomaterials has generated interest in recent years, leading to the development of new effective systems for combating viral diseases. Metal-based nanoparticles have been used as antiviral drugs, resulting in a significant enhancement in antiviral activity. These metal-based antiviral drugs have also been used in the formulation of antiviral vaccines, particularly due to their remarkable adjuvant activities. The small size and inertness of Au- and Ag-based nanoparticles have been utilized in the design of systems for antiviral drug delivery, resulting in specific and safe therapies with reduced side effects.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Grazia Ferraro, Marialuisa Piccolo, Gabriella Misso, Rita Santamaria, Carlo Irace
Summary: The search for effective and safe cancer drugs is a multidisciplinary effort. Metal-based complexes have great potential as yet unexplored anticancer drugs. Transition metals other than platinum, such as ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, and iridium, have been proposed as alternative chemotherapeutic options and have unique chemical and biological features. This review focuses on the applications and progress in metal-based chemotherapy, particularly on the development of anticancer agents based on these transition metals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Canil, Juan Gurruchaga-Pereda, Simona Braccini, Lorella Marchetti, Tiziana Funaioli, Fabio Marchetti, Alessandro Pratesi, Luca Salassa, Chiara Gabbiani
Summary: Photoactivatable Pt(IV) prodrugs have great potential as metal-based drugs due to their chemical inertness in oxidized form and selective targeting compared to Pt(II) compounds. A new Pt(IV) complex, soluble in water and unreactive until reduction, was synthesized. The complex exhibited rapid and efficient photoreduction with visible light, facilitated by a catalytic system based on flavin and NADH. The reactivity of the prodrug against biological targets was only observed after photoreduction to its Pt(II) analogue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Chien Ing Yeo, Clariss Hui Peng Goh, Edward R. T. Tiekink, Jactty Chew
Summary: This review article provides an overview of the antibacterial activity of gold complexes, with a focus on gold(I) and gold(III) complexes. It also summarizes the repurposing of Auranofin for antibacterial purposes and the associated mechanism(s) of action.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Tao Feng, Johannes Karges, Xinxing Liao, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: In recent decades, there has been increasing attention on the application of metal-based drugs for the treatment of various diseases, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, many metal complexes or metal-containing nanoparticles are associated with severe side effects or pharmacokinetic limitations. To address these issues, researchers have started focusing on exosomes as a natural nanoplatform for drug delivery system development.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damiano Cirri, Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Michele Mannelli, Tania Gamberi, Francesca Magherini, Matteo Becatti, Chiara Gabbiani, Alessandro Pratesi, Luigi Messori
Summary: A panel of four novel gold(I) complexes, inspired by the clinically established gold drug auranofin, were prepared and characterized. The differences in their interactions with model proteins were analyzed, and their cytotoxic effects on ovarian cancer cells were quantitated. These novel gold complexes showed potential as effective anticancer agents.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Irina S. R. Rio, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Juliana M. Rodrigues, Maria-Joao R. P. Queiroz, R. C. Calhelha, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Bernardo G. Almeida, Ana Pires, Andre M. Pereira, Joao P. Araujo, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Paulo J. G. Coutinho
Summary: The liposome-like nanostructures containing manganese ferrite nanoparticles covered or decorated with gold were developed for dual cancer therapy combining chemotherapy and photothermia. The magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behavior and were characterized using various techniques. The core/shell magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles efficiently inhibited tumor cell growth when irradiated with red light and had high encapsulation efficiencies for potential antitumor drugs.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ibrahim S. Al Nasr, Markus Weise, Waleed S. Koko, Tariq A. Khan, Rainer Schobert, Bernhard Biersack
Summary: Gold(I) complexes with imidazole-2-ylidene and ferrocene substituents were synthesized and tested for their anti-parasitic activities against Leishmania major and Toxoplasma gondii. Certain complexes exhibited promising effects, showing high activities against the parasites with good selectivity.
APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chibuzor Olelewe, Samuel G. Awuah
Summary: In pursuit of better cancer treatment options, metal-based complexes have shown potential as attractive chemotherapeutics due to their tunability, novel mechanisms, and potency. Recent research has focused on targeting mitochondria and other metabolic pathways to overcome resistance and inhibit tumor growth with selectivity and high potency. This article discusses the progress made in third row transition metal-based mitochondrial targeting agents, aiming to stimulate research in new clinical anticancer agents and the elucidation of novel mechanisms of action.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rossana Galassi, Lorenzo Luciani, Valentina Gambini, Silvia Vincenzetti, Giulio Lupidi, Augusto Amici, Cristina Marchini, Junbiao Wang, Stefania Pucciarelli
Summary: Phosphane gold(I) compounds were evaluated for screening on breast cancer cell panels, with compounds showing specific environments and components displaying activity. These compounds exhibited strong cytotoxicity, varying enzymatic activities, and binding properties in different cell lines.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andreia Valente, Ana Podolski-Renic, Isabella Poetsch, Nenad Filipovic, Oscar Lopez, Iztok Turel, Petra Heffeter
Summary: Drug resistance remains a major cause of cancer treatment failure, especially in the late stage of the disease. Metal and metalloid compounds offer the possibility to design fine-tuned drugs to overcome drug-resistant cancer cells. This review highlights the importance of platinum drugs in clinics and discusses strategies to reverse resistance to platinum drugs and multidrug resistance based on ABC efflux pumps.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Chiappetta, Tania Gamberi, Fiorella Faienza, Xhesika Limaj, Salvatore Rizza, Luigi Messori, Giuseppe Filomeni, Alessandra Modesti, Joelle Vinh
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Auranofin (AF) on protein expression and protein oxidation in A2780 cancer cells using a strategy based on simultaneous expression proteomics and redox proteomics determinations. The results demonstrated that AF affected the cellular redox state, mitochondrial functions, and induced ER stress, which were extensively validated. The study suggests that AF exerts its effects through a multitarget mechanism, mainly affecting redox metabolism and mitochondrial functions.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Megan O'Shaughnessy, Orla Sheils, Anne-Marie Baird
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are two prevalent respiratory diseases with shared risk factors, clinical features, and pathological pathways. The role of the lung microbiome in their development and progression, including the transition from COPD to lung cancer, has attracted research interest. Metal-based drugs offer a potential therapeutic avenue for targeting the microbiome in these diseases. This review provides an overview of the lung microbiome in COPD and lung cancer, and discusses the potential of metal-based drugs as a therapeutic strategy focusing on the microbiome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Francesca Binacchi, Cassandra Elia, Damiano Cirri, Corjan van de Griend, Xue-Quan Zhou, Luigi Messori, Sylvestre Bonnet, Alessandro Pratesi, Tarita Biver
Summary: Metal compounds are attractive ligands for various nucleic acids. Five metal complexes with aminopyridyl-2,2'-bipyridine tetradentate ligands and quasi-planar geometry were studied for their binding to different nucleic acid molecules. The binding preferences and structural features of the metal complexes were analyzed using spectroscopy and melting methods.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Canil, Juan Gurruchaga-Pereda, Simona Braccini, Lorella Marchetti, Tiziana Funaioli, Fabio Marchetti, Alessandro Pratesi, Luca Salassa, Chiara Gabbiani
Summary: Photoactivatable Pt(IV) prodrugs have great potential as metal-based drugs due to their chemical inertness in oxidized form and selective targeting compared to Pt(II) compounds. A new Pt(IV) complex, soluble in water and unreactive until reduction, was synthesized. The complex exhibited rapid and efficient photoreduction with visible light, facilitated by a catalytic system based on flavin and NADH. The reactivity of the prodrug against biological targets was only observed after photoreduction to its Pt(II) analogue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ester Giorgi, Francesca Binacchi, Carlo Marotta, Damiano Cirri, Chiara Gabbiani, Alessandro Pratesi
Summary: Despite progress, cancer still poses challenges due to side effects, resistance, and poor selectivity of current metal-based therapies. New strategies reviewed include using heterobimetallic complexes containing different metal centers and conjugating metal complexes to target cancer cells. Examples of targeting organelles and the entire cancer cell were highlighted.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damiano Cirri, Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Michele Mannelli, Tania Gamberi, Francesca Magherini, Matteo Becatti, Chiara Gabbiani, Alessandro Pratesi, Luigi Messori
Summary: A panel of four novel gold(I) complexes, inspired by the clinically established gold drug auranofin, were prepared and characterized. The differences in their interactions with model proteins were analyzed, and their cytotoxic effects on ovarian cancer cells were quantitated. These novel gold complexes showed potential as effective anticancer agents.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yschtar Tecla Simonini Steiner, Giammarco Maria Romano, Lara Massai, Martina Lippi, Paola Paoli, Patrizia Rossi, Matteo Savastano, Andrea Bencini
Summary: The globally widespread perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a concerning environmental contaminant. Two triamine-based chemosensors, L1 and L2, along with their Zn(II) complexes, are proposed as fluorescent probes for detecting PFOA in water. The receptors interact with PFOA through salt bridge formation, causing a decrease in the fluorescence emission of pyrene. This study demonstrates the potential use of simple polyamine-based molecular receptors for optical recognition of harmful pollutants like PFOA in aqueous media.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Mikel Bernabeu de Maria, Diego Tesauro, Filippo Prencipe, Michele Saviano, Luigi Messori, Christine Enjalbal, Ryszard Lobinski, Luisa Ronga
Summary: Methylmercury, mercury (II), and mercury (I) chlorides were found to react with vasopressin and its mono- and diselenium analogues to form various mercury-peptide adducts. The replacement of Cys by SeCys in vasopressin increased reactivity towards methylmercury, resulting in the formation of -Se/S-Hg-Se-bridged structures and subsequent demethylation of methylmercury. Competitive experiments showed that CH3HgCl preferred to react with the diselenium analogue rather than vasopressin. The diselenium peptide also demonstrated the ability to displace CH3Hg moieties bound to S in vasopressin. These findings suggest the potential use of selenopeptides for methylmercury chelation and detoxification strategies.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Luigi Messori
Summary: Gold compounds have shown promise as anticancer agents with innovative modes of action, targeting proteins rather than nucleic acids. Through ESI MS measurements, the reactions of various gold compounds with model proteins have been explored, revealing adduct formation and key features of these reactions. This review focuses on five gold compounds and their reactions with four biomolecular targets, showing that cytotoxic gold drugs selectively target cancer cell proteins, particularly cysteine and selenocysteine proteome, leading to severe damage and altered redox state, ultimately causing cancer cell death.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Marko Novinec, Iztok Turel, Luigi Messori
Summary: Medicinal gold compounds exert their pharmacological effects by binding to protein targets. In this study, the reactions between seven representative gold compounds and the cysteine protease cathepsin B were explored, revealing strong interactions with the free cysteine in the enzyme. The findings suggest that the chemical nature of the gold compound plays a significant role in its interaction with proteins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Veronica Ghini, Michele Mannelli, Lara Massai, Andrea Geri, Stefano Zineddu, Tania Gamberi, Luigi Messori, Paola Turano
Summary: NMR metabolomics is a valuable approach for studying changes in cancer cell metabolism caused by anticancer drugs. This study investigates the significant metabolic alterations induced by two cytotoxic gold carbene compounds in A2780 ovarian cancer cells and compares them to auranofin, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Gabriella Tito, Romualdo Troisi, Giarita Ferraro, Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Luigi Messori, Filomena Sica, Antonello Merlino
Summary: The reaction between the cytotoxic compound dirhodium tetraacetate and a B-DNA double helical dodecamer was studied using X-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry. The structure of the dirhodium/DNA adduct revealed a dimetallic center binding to an adenine through axial coordination. Additional information was obtained through ESI MS measurements. Comparison with previous data for cisplatin indicated a significant difference in the way these two metallodrugs react with the DNA dodecamer.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Angela Lis, Viorica Gladchi, Gheorghe Duca, Sergey Travin
Summary: This work presents studies on the photochemical transformations of TU and Cys with the addition of Cu(II) or Fe(III) ions. The results show that the oxidation rate of the thiols increases significantly when Cu(II) or Fe(III) ions are added to the system. It has also been found that TU and Cys can form stable complex compounds with the studied metal ions. The oxidation rates of the thiols are found to depend on the radiation intensity and emission spectrum of the irradiation sources.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Cristiane F. A. Teixeira, Estefane I. Teixeira, J. P. C. Nascimento, M. Amilcar Junior, L. M. C. Pinto, Anderson R. L. Caires, G. B. Alcantara, Ana C. Micheletti, Victor M. Deflon, Davi F. Back, Heveline Silva, Lucas Pizzuti, Gleison Antonio Casagrande
Summary: Novel binuclear heteroleptic copper(I) complexes based on mixed DPPE/thiocarbamoyl-pyrazoline ligands were synthesized and structurally characterized. These complexes exhibited similar structural behavior around the Copper(I) atoms and showed promising antimicrobial and anticancer activities.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Chen Chen, Li Liu, Xin-Xin Zhong, Fa-Bao Li, Hai-Mei Qin
Summary: Thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) Cu(I) halide complexes with short lifetimes and intense emissions were synthesized and characterized. These complexes exhibit intense green to yellow-green delayed fluorescence and are suitable for OLED devices.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Tian-Yu Zhang, Xue-Qian Wu, Heng-Yu Ruan, Yi Yuan, Le Wang, Ya-Pan Wu, Qing-Wen Han, Ruan Chi, Dong-Sheng Li
Summary: In this study, a novel Ni(II)-based metal-organic framework with good electrocatalytic oxidation performance was successfully synthesized, showing potential for direct alcohol fuel cells.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Susanta Das Baishnab, R. N. Dutta Purkayastha, Waldemar Maniukiewicz, Rosa M. Gomila, Antonio Frontera
Summary: The synthesis, structure, and DNA binding ability of three decavanadate complexes containing cationic organic moieties were reported. The complexes were characterized by various techniques and their solid-state structures were analyzed. The complexes showed interesting assembly patterns and exhibited moderately strong intercalative binding with CTDNA. Additionally, their micellization behavior in the presence of the surfactant CTAB was studied.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jubaraj B. Baruah
Summary: Isomorphous series are generated by replacing atoms or molecules to form materials with similar compositions. They allow modulation of structure and properties, and generate equivalent compositions with novel material properties. The study of stereo-electronic aspects of different equivalent compositions can improve the utility of the original composition.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Kamelah S. Al-Rashdi, Bandar A. Babgi, Ehab M. M. Ali, Bambar Davaasuren, Abdul-Hamid M. Emwas, Mariusz Jaremko, Mark G. Humphrey, Mostafa A. Hussien
Summary: Tridentate ligands were used to synthesize a set of palladium complexes, which were characterized and found to have DNA and BSA binding abilities. The complexes also showed differences in anticancer activities.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Diane Isaacs, Chandler Cox, Mark A. Bezpalko, W. Scott Kassel, William G. Dougherty
Summary: The structure and electrochemical properties of zinc(II) complexes with a face-capping ligand have been investigated, revealing the effect of the ligand on bound semiquinonate (SQ) radicals. The substitution pattern of the SQ ring plays a crucial role in determining the fate of the bound SQ radicals. Additionally, the protective pocket formed by the ligand's phenyl substituents is unable to prevent decomposition of SQ radicals with minimal steric bulk, suggesting that substitution of the SQ ring is the main contributor to their stabilization.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xingliang Chen, Zhiqiang Jiang
Summary: Here, a series of zinc tetrahedral tetrazolate frameworks (Zn-TTFs) are presented, and it is demonstrated that rotation of carboxyl group can generate structural diversity. Compound 3 exhibits a unique zeolite-like structure, while compound 4 shows both super acid and alkali resistance.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ankita Puri, Allison Mcaninch, Sheng Shu, Khashayar Rajabimoghadam, Maxime A. Siegler, Marcel Swart, Isaac Garcia-Bosch
Summary: In this article, the synthesis and characterization of copper, nickel, and palladium complexes bound by bidentate ligands derived from ortho-phenylenediamine are described. The complexes contain tunable H-bond donors and their crystal structures reveal intramolecular H-bonding interactions between the ligand scaffolds. Variations in the coordination sphere led to the isolation of the complexes in square-planar or twisted pseudo-tetrahedral geometries. Structural analysis showed that intramolecular H-bonding interactions can be altered by disrupting the bonds between countercations, solvent of crystallization, and ligand scaffold, resulting in changes in the geometry of the complexes. DFT calculations confirmed that Cu complexes prefer twisted geometries while Ni and Pd complexes favor square-planar geometries.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Laiane dos Santos Oliveira, Pedro Henrique de Souza Guarda, Leticia Bazilio Rosa, Gustavo Clauss Rodrigues, Daniele Daiane Affonso, Joao Ernesto de Carvalho, Igor Andrade Santos, Mark Harris, Douglas Hideki Nakahata, Jose Ricardo Sabino, Danilo Ciccone Miguel, Ana Lucia Tasca Gois Ruiz, Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim, Camilla Abbehausen
Summary: Chalcones are chemical precursors of flavonoids that have various biological properties. In this study, novel copper(II)-2'-hydroxy-4-benzyloxychalcone complexes were synthesized and evaluated for their antileishmanial, antiproliferative, and antiviral activities. The results demonstrated that these complexes showed potential effects against tumor cells, leishmania parasites, and SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study also highlighted the influence of ligand structure on biological activity.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Archana Thakur, Harpreet Kaur, Vishal Tyagi
Summary: This review article discusses the findings of research on the 13C NMR spectra of di- and tri-butyltin carboxylates, highlighting the importance of 13C NMR chemical shifts in determining the chemical surroundings of carbon nuclei and their role in structure elucidation.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Qiang Zhao, Qi-Yang Li, Zhi Shen, Guo Zang, Wen-Jun Lv
Summary: In this study, five metal complexes were synthesized using a solvothermal reaction and their structures were analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Fluorescence and magnetic properties of some complexes were also investigated.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jeremy Erb, Darcy Setter, Jake Swavey, Frederick Willits, Shawn Swavey
Summary: Three BODIPY-Ru(II) complexes were synthesized by coordinating [Ru(bpy)2Cl]+ complexes to BODIPY ligands. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the complexes were characterized. The complexes exhibited intense absorption peaks due to the pi pi* transitions localized on the BODIPY core, and additional charge transfer transitions associated with the metal center. The complexes showed significant singlet oxygen generation and were able to induce photo-nicking of DNA.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sahin Reja, Dilip Sarkar, Kaushik Sarkar, Deboshmita Mukherjee, T. K. S. Fayaz, Palash Sanphui, Rajesh Kumar Das
Summary: A promising bioinspired metallocatalyst has been produced and characterized, showing high catalytic activity in oxygen dependant enzymatic radical pathway. The catalyst also exhibits inter and intra molecular H-bonding and C-H-pi interactions.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)