Synthesis and reactivity of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes of two N-O donors and potentiation of the antituberculosis activity of one of them on chelation to metal ions: Part IV

A new series of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of two aromatic acidhydrazides (BH and AH) have been reported. Of these two donors, AH is known to possess considerable in vitro antitubercular activity. At pH 2-4, oxometal complexes of the type [VO(BH/AH)2SO4].nH2O (n = 1, 0) and [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)H2O].H2O (BH = C6H5CONHNH2 and AH = (2-NH2)C6H4.CO.NHNH2) were obtained. Reactions of [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)H2O].H2O with a monodentate Lewis base lead to the isolation of metal-ligand complexes [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)L].nH2O (L = NH3, n = 1, L = py, n = 2). Disposition of the bonding sites of donor molecules around the oxometal acceptor center and status of the metal-oxygen multiple bond have been established. A monomeric and distorted octahedral donor environment for the oxovanadium(IV) ion has been proposed on the basis of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Antitubercular activities, in vitro, of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes of AH have also been evaluated towards tuberculosis mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium flae, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium H37Rv.     

Characterization of oxovanadium (IV) complexes of D-gluconic and D-saccharic acids and their bioactivity on osteoblast-like cells in culture

Oxovanadium (IV) complexes of the alpha-hydroxycarboxylic ligands D-gluconic and D-saccharic acids of stoichiometry Na(2)[VO(gluconate)(2)].H(2)O, K(2)[VO(saccharate)(2)].4H(2)O, Na(4)[VO(gluconate)(2)].2H(2)O and K(5)[VO(saccharate)(2)].4H(2)O were obtained in aqueous solutions; the first two in acid, the other two in alkaline media. They were characterized by infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The complexes were found to be mononuclear, possessing the VO(2+) moiety, and the thorough analysis of the spectral data allowed the determination of the characteristics of the metal-to-ligand interactions. The biological activities of these complexes on the proliferation, differentiation and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells in culture. Comparisons of these effects and those of the oxovanadium (IV) cation and the free ligands were performed. Different behaviors could be observed for the complexes obtained at acidic or alkaline pH-values, as well as for the different cellular types. The free ligands did not show any biological effect.     

Synthesis, X-ray structure, and anti-leukemic activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes

In a systematic effort to identify and develop effective anticancer agents, four oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) or 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2-Phen) as ligand(s) were synthesized and characterized. Among the four oxovanadium(IV) complexes synthesized, the crystal structure of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex bis(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)2], compound 1) has been determined. Compound 1 crystallized in the space group P2(1)/n with unit cell parameters a = 14.2125(17) A, b = 10.8628(13) A, c = 20.143(2) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 102.569(2) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 3035.3(6) A3, and Z = 4. The refinement of compound 1 by full-matrix least-squares techniques gave an R factor of 0.0785 for 4356 independent reflections. The structure contains two enantiomorphous molecules, lambda and delta, which are related by an inversion center. Compound 1 exhibited 3.5-fold more potent cytotoxic activity against NALM-6 human leukemia cells than the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex (diaqua)(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)(H2O)2], compound 2) (IC50 values: 0.97+/-0.10 microM versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM: P=0.0004). Methyl substitution in the phenanthroline ligand enhanced the anti-leukemic activity of the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 4.4-fold (IC50 values: 0.78+/-0.10 microM, compound 4, versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM, compound 2; P=0.0003) and the anti-leukemic activity of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 5.7-fold (IC50 values: 0.17+/-0.02 microM, compound 3, versus 0.97+/-0.10 microM, compound 1; P=0.001). The leading oxovanadium compound, bis(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2], compound 3) triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human leukemia cells, caused G1-arrest and inhibited clonogenic growth at nanomolar concentrations.     

Synthesis and insulinomimetic activities of novel mono- and tetranuclear oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid

Two chargeless VO(IV) complexes with 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid (H2hpic), [VO(Hhpic-O,O)(Hhpic-O,N)(H2O)].3H2O (1) and the cyclic tetramer [(VO)4(mu-(hpic-O,O',N))4(H2O)4].8H3O (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass, infrared, electronic absorption, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography. Their coordination structures are similar to each other (and 1 is readily transformed into 2), but are quite different from that of bis(pyridine-2-carboxylato)oxovanadium(IV). The magnetic susceptibility of 2 indicates the presence of a weak ferromagnetic intramolecular interaction between the V atoms at low temperature, in addition to a weak antiferromagnetic intermolecular interaction. The ESR signal of 2 was broad, while 1 showed an eight-line hyperfine splitting pattern due to coupling of the unpaired electron with the 51V nucleus (I=7/2). The ESR spectrum and cyclic voltammogram of 2 clearly show that the cyclic tetramer remains intact in solution. The insulinomimetic activity of 1 and 2 was evaluated by means of in vitro measurements of the inhibition of free fatty acid release from epinephrine-treated isolated rat adipocytes. While 1 exerted higher insulinomimetic activity than VOSO4, the activity of 2 was significantly lower than that of VOSO4. Hence 2 appears to retain its cyclic structure during the in vitro test. These results indicate that the rational ligand design for VO complexes might be a promising approach to obtain superior insulinomimetic activity.     

Synthesis and aqueous solution properties of multinuclear oxo-bridged vanadium(IV/V) complexes

Reaction of the multifunctional phenolic ligands 2,5-bis[N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]hydroquinone (H6cahq), 2,2'-bis[N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]-4,4'-isopropylidenediphen ol(H6capd),2,2',2'-tris[N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]-1,1 ,1-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane (H9catp) and the monofunctional 2-[N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]-4-carboxyphenol (H3cacp), with VOSO4 and NaVO3 affords the oxo-bridged mixed-valence vanadium(IV/V) Na6[(VO)4(mu-O)2(mu-cahq)2] x Na2SO4 x 20H2O (1), HnNa(3-n)[(VO)2(mu-O)(mu-cacp)2] (2), HnNa(3-n)[(VO)4(mu-O)2(mu-capd)2] (3), HnNa(9-n)[(VO)6(mu-O)3(mu3-catp)2] (4). In addition to the synthesis, we report the infrared, magnetic, optical and electrochemical properties of these complexes. The hydrolytic stability at different pH values was also investigated using visible spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and antimicrobial activities of 12 zinc(II) complexes with four thiosemicarbazone and two semicarbazone ligands

Twelve zinc(II) complexes with thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone ligands were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), FT-IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Seven three-dimensional structures of zinc(II) complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Their antimicrobial activities were evaluated by MIC against four bacteria (B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa), two yeasts (C. albicans and S. cerevisiae) and two molds (A. niger and P. citrinum). The 5- and 6-coordinate zinc(II) complexes with a tridentate thiosemicarbazone ligand (Hatsc), ([Zn(atsc)(OAc)](n) 1, [Zn(Hatsc)(2)](NO(3))(2).0.3H(2)O 2, [ZnCl(2)(Hatsc)] 3 and [Zn(SO(4))(Hatsc)(H(2)O)].H(2)O 4 [Hatsc=2-acetylpyridine(thiosemicarbazone)]), showed antimicrobial activities against test organisms, which were different from those of free ligands or the starting zinc(II) compounds. Especially, complex 2 showed effective activities against P. aeruginosa, C. albicans and moderate activities against S. cerevisiae and two molds. These facts are in contrast to the results that the 5- or 6-coordinate zinc(II) complexes with a tridentate 2-acetylpyridine-4N-morpholinethiosemicarbazone, ([Zn(mtsc)(2)].0.2EtOH 5, the previously reported catena-poly [Zn(mtsc)-mu-(OAc-O,O')](n) and [Zn(NO(3))(2)(Hmtsc)] [Hmtsc=2-acetylpyridine (4N-morpholyl thiosemicarbazone)]), showed no activities against the test microorganisms. The 5- and 6-coordinate zinc(II) complexes with a tridentate 2-acetylpyridinesemicarbazone, ([Zn(OAc)(2)(Hasc)] 6 and [Zn(Hasc)(2)](NO(3))(2) 7 [Hasc=2-acetylpyridine(semicarbazone)]), showed no antimicrobial activities against bacteria, yeasts and molds. Complex [ZnCl(2)(Hasc)] 8, which was isostructural to complex 3, showed modest activity against Gram-positive bacterium, B. subtilis. The 1:1 complexes of zinc(II) with pentadentate thiosemicarbazone ligands, ([Zn(dmtsc)](n) 9 and [Zn(datsc)](n) 10 [H(2)dmtsc=2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(4N-morpholyl thiosemicarbazone) and H(2)datsc=2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(thiosemicarbazone)]), did not inhibit the growth of the test organisms. On the contrary, 7-coordinate zinc(II) complexes with one pentadentate semicarbazone ligand and two water molecules, ([Zn(H(2)dasc)(H(2)O)(2)](OAc)(2).5.3H(2)O 11 and [Zn(H(2)dasc)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2).H(2)O 12 [H(2)dasc=2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(semicarbazone)]), showed modest to moderate activities against bacteria. Based on the X-ray structures, the structure-activity correlation for the antimicrobial activities was elucidated. The zinc(II) complexes with 4N-substituted ligands showed no antimicrobial activities. In contrast to the previously reported nickel(II) complexes, properties of the ligands such as the ability to form hydrogen bonding with a counter anion or hydrated water molecules or the less bulkiness of the 4N moiety would be a more important factor for antimicrobial activities than the coordination number of the metal ion for the zinc(II) complexes.     

Novel vanadyl complexes with quinoxaline N(1),N(4)-dioxide derivatives as potent in vitro insulin-mimetic compounds

As a contribution to the development of novel vanadyl complexes with potential insulin-mimetic activity, three new oxovanadium(IV) complexes with the formula VO(L)(2), where L are 3-amino-quinoxaline-2-carbonitrile N(1),N(4)-dioxide derivatives, have been synthesized. Complexes have been characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy (FAB-MS), conductivity measurements and electronic, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. The in vitro insulin-mimetic activity of the vanadyl complexes has been estimated by lipolysis inhibition tests, in which the inhibition of the release of free fatty acid from isolated rat adipocytes treated with epinephrine was determined. All the complexes showed inhibitory effects on free fatty acid release. [V(IV)O(3-amino-6(7)-bromoquinoxaline-2-carbonitrile N(1),N(4)-dioxide)(2)] exhibited higher in vitro insulin-mimetic activity than the very active bis(6-methylpicolinato)oxovanadium(IV), VO(6mpa)(2). This new vanadyl complex is expected to exhibit a higher blood glucose lowering activity than VO(6mpa)(2) in diabetic animals.     

Enhancement of insulin signaling pathway in adipocytes by oxovanadium(IV) complexes

Recently, we have found that some oxovanadium(IV) complexes are potent insulin-mimetic compounds for treating both type I and type II diabetic animals. However, the functional mechanism of oxovanadium(IV) complexes is not fully understood. In this report, we have shown that oxovanadium(IV)-picolinate complexes such as VO(pa)(2), VO(3mpa)(2), and VO(6mpa)(2) act on the insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Among them, VO(3mpa)(2) was found to be the highest potent activator in inducing not only the phosphotyrosine levels of both IRbeta and IRS but also the activation of downstream kinases in the insulin receptor, such as Akt and GSK3beta, which in turn translocated the insulin-dependent GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. Then, we examined whether or not oxovanadium(IV)-picolinates exhibit the hypoglycemic activity in STZ-induced diabetic mice, and found that VO(3mpa)(2) is more effective than the others in improving the hyperglycemia of the animals. Our present data indicate that both activation of insulin signaling pathway, which follows the GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane, and enhancement of glucose utilization by oxovanadium(IV) complexes cause the hypoglycemic effect in diabetic animals.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of oxovanadium (IV) complexes with cyclic polyalcohols

Oxovanadium (IV) complexes of the cyclic polyols conduritol C (cond) and myo-inositol (inos) of stoichiometry Na(2)[VO(cond)(2)].2H(2)O and Na(2)[VO(inos)(2)].H(2)O were obtained in aqueous alkaline solutions. They were characterized by infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The biological activities of the complexes on the proliferation, differentiation and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells in culture. Conduritol C and myo-inositol did not produce any effect on these parameters. Normal and tumoral cell proliferation was inhibited about (ca.40-60%) by the two oxovanadium (IV) complexes in concentrations as low as 100microM. The complexes were also inhibitory on cell differentiation (ca. 70-80%) while they stimulate glucose consumption. Comparisons of these effects with those of the oxovanadium (IV) cation, under the same experimental conditions, were also performed.     

Modeling of Ni-Fe-center of Ni-CO-dehydrogenases by nickel complexes with thiaazaligands

Three new nickel(II) complexes with ligands 1,8-bis(2'-pyridyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane (Pdto) and dithiosemicarbazone of 4,7-dithiadecane-2,9-dione (DtdtzH2) of composition Ni(Pdto)(H2O)2(ClO4)2, Ni(DtdtzH2)(ClO4)2 and Ni(Dtdtz) were prepared, their molecular structures, spectral and redox-properties were studied. The possibilities of chemical reduction of Ni(Pdto)(H2O)2(ClO4)2 to nickel(I) and nickel(0) species and the reaction of nickel(I) complex with CO were shown, which may be described as the modeling of one of the stages of reactions with CO on active Ni-Fe-site of Ni-CO-dehydrogenases. It was found that Ni(DtdtzH2)(ClO4)2 reacted with (Et4N)2[Fe4S4(SBz)4] (BzSH = C6H5 CH2SH) forming adduct. In the row of studied complexes Ni(Pdto) (H2O)2(ClO4)2 may be described as the best structural model of Ni-Fe-site of Ni-CO-dehydrogenases on the redox properties.     

Biological activity of complexes derived from pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. Structure of

Biological studies on [Fe(L)2](NO3).0.5H2O (1), [Fe(L)2][PF6] (2), [Co(L)2](NCS) (3), [Ni(HL)2]Cl2.3H2O (4) and Cu(L)(NO3) (5), where HL=C7H8N4S, pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, have been carried out. The crystal structure of compound 3 has been solved. It consists of discrete monomeric cationic entities containing cobalt(III) ions in a distorted octahedral environment. The metal ion is bonded to one sulfur and two nitrogen atoms of each thiosemicarbazone molecule. The thiocyanate molecules act as counterions. The copper(II) and iron(III) complexes react with reduced glutathione and 2-mercaptoethanol. The reaction of compound 1 with the above thiols causes the reduction of the metal ion and bis(thiosemicarbazonato)iron(II) species are obtained. The redox activity, and in particular the reaction with cell thiols, seems to be related to the cytotoxicity of these complexes against Friend erithroleukemia cells and melanoma B16F10 cells.     

Vanadyl-biguanide complexes as potential synergistic insulin mimics

Vanadium has well-documented blood-glucose-lowering properties both in vitro and in vivo. The design of new oxovanadium(IV) coordination compounds, intended for use as insulin-enhancing agents in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, can potentially benefit from a synergistic approach, in which the whole complex has more than an additive effect from its component parts. Biguanides, most importantly metformin, are oral hypoglycemic agents used today to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, biguanide, metformin, and phenformin, all biguanides, were coordinated to oxovanadium(IV) to form potential insulin-enhancing compounds. Highly colored, air-stable, bis(biguanidato)oxovanadium(IV), [VO(big)2], bis(N'N'-dimethylbiguanidato)oxovanadium(IV), [VO(metf)2], and bis(beta-phenethyl-biguanidato)oxovanadium(IV), [VO(phenf)2], were prepared. Solvation with dimethylsulfoxide occurred with VO(metf)2 to form a six-coordinate complex. Precursor ligands and oxovanadium(IV) coordination complexes were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, and, where appropriate, 1H NMR spectroscopy. Biological testing with VO(metf)2, a representative compound, for insulin-enhancing potential included acute (72 h) administration, both by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection and by oral gavage (p.o.) in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. VO(metf)2 administration resulted in significant blood-glucose lowering at doses of 0.12 mmol kg-1 i.p. and 0.60 mmol kg-1 p.o. (previously established as ED50 doses for organically chelated oxovanadium(IV) complexes); however, no positive associative effects due to the presence of biguanide in the complex were apparent.     

Synthesis, physico-chemical studies of manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with some p-substituted acetophenone benzoylhydrazones and their antimicrobial activity

Complexes of the type [M(pabh)(H2O)Cl], [M(pcbh)(H2O)Cl] and [M(Hpabh)(H2O)2 (SO4)] where, M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II); Hpabh = p-amino acetophenone benzoyl hydrazone and Hpcbh = p-chloro acetophenone benzoyl hydrazone have been synthesized and characterized with the help of elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic, ESR and IR spectra, thermal (TGA & DTA) and X-ray diffraction studies. Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) chloride complexes are square planar, whereas their sulfate complexes have spin-free octahedral geometry. ESR spectra of Cu(II) complexes with Hpabh are axial and suggest d(x(2)-y(2) as the ground state. The ligand is bidentate bonding through > C = N--and deprotonated enolate group in all the chloro complexes, whereas, >C = N and >C = O groups in all the sulfato complexes. Thermal studies (TGA & DTA) on [Cu(Hpabh)(H2O)2(SO4)] indicate a multistep decomposition pattern, which are both exothermic and endothermic in nature. X-ray powder diffraction parameters for [Co(pabh)(H2O)Cl] and [Ni(Hpabh)(H2O)2(SO4)] correspond to tetragonal and orthorhombic crystal lattices, respectively. The ligands as well as their complexes show a significant antifungal and antibacterial activity. The metal complexes are more active than the ligand.     

Zinc(II) complexes derived from pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone and (1E)-1-pyridin-2-ylethan-1-one thiosemicarbazone. Synthesis, crystal structures and antiproliferative activity of zinc(II) complexes

The complexes [ZnCl(2)(HFoTsc)xH(2)O], [Zn(FoTsc)(2)], [ZnCl(2)(HAcTsc)xH(2)O] and [Zn(AcTsc)(2)], where HFoTsc and HAcTsc is pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone and (1E)-1-pyridin-2-ylethan-1-one thiosemicarbazone respectively, have been prepared and structurally characterized by means vibrational, and NMR ((1)H and (13)C) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the complexes [ZnCl(2)(HFoTsc)xH(2)O], [Zn(AcTsc)(2)] and [ZnCl(2)(HAcTsc)xH(2)O] have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The metal co-ordination geometry of [ZnCl(2)(HFoTsc)xH(2)O] and [ZnCl(2)(HAcTsc)xH(2)O] is described as distorted square pyramidal and the two complexes are self-assembled via pi-->pi stacking interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In these two cases molecular recognition of the hydrogen bonds leads to aggregation and a supramolecular assembly of infinite two-dimensional network. The metal co-ordination geometry of [Zn(AcTsc)(2)] is described as distorted octahedral configuration in a trans-N(2)-cis-N(1)-cis-S configuration. HFoTsc and HAcTsc and the zinc complexes have been evaluated for antiproliferative activity in vitro against the cells of two human cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line), T24 (bladder cancer cell line) and a mouse fibroblast L-929 cell line. The cytotoxic activity shown by these compounds indicates that coupling of HFoTsc and HAcTsc to Zn(II) metal center result in metallic complexes with important biological properties since they display IC(50) values in a microM range similar to or better than that of the antitumor drug cis-platin and are considered as agents with potential antitumor activity candidates for further stages of screening in vitro and/or in vivo.     

Uptake and metabolic effects of insulin mimetic oxovanadium compounds in human erythrocytes

The uptake of the oxidation products of two oxovanadium(IV) compounds, [N,N'-ethylenebis(pyridoxylaminato)]oxovanadium(IV), V(IV)O(Rpyr(2)en), and bis-[3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4-pyridinonato]oxovanadium(IV), V(IV)O(dmpp)(2), by human erythrocytes was studied using (51)V and (1)H NMR and EPR spectroscopy. V(IV)O(Rpyr(2)en) in aerobic aqueous solution is oxidized to its V(V) counterpart and the neutral form slowly enters the cells by passive diffusion. In aerobic conditions, V(IV)O(dmpp)(2) originates V(V) complexes of 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometry. The neutral 1:1 species is taken up by erythrocytes through passive diffusion in a temperature-dependent process; its depletion from the extracellular medium promotes the dissociation of the negatively charged 1:2 species, and the protonation of the negatively charged 1:1 species. The identity of these complexes is not maintained inside the cells, and the intracellular EPR spectra suggest N(2)O(2) or NO(3) intracellular coordinating environments. The oxidative stress induced by the oxovanadium compounds in erythrocytes was not significant at 1mM concentration, but was increased by both vanadate and oxidized V(IV)O(dmpp)(2) at 5mM. Only 1mM oxidized V(IV)O(dmpp)(2) significantly stimulated erythrocytes glucose intake (0.75+/-0.13 against 0.37+/-0.17mM/h found for the control, p<0.05).     

Bis(6-ethylpicolinato)oxovanadium(IV) complex with normoglycemic activity in KK-A(y) mice.

A novel bis(6-ethylpicolinato)(H(2)O)oxovanadium(IV) complex (VO(6epa)(2) x (H(2)O)) was prepared and its structure was revealed by X-ray analysis (space group Pc(#7), a=10.838(2), b=11.148(5), c=16.642(3) A, and Z=2). Because VO(6epa)(2) x (H(2)O) exhibited higher in vitro insulinomimetic activity compared to that of vanadyl sulfate in terms of inhibition of free fatty acid (FFA) release from isolated rat adipocytes in the presence of epinephrine, its in vivo effect on whether the complex has a blood glucose normalizing effect was examined in KK-A(y) mice, a model animal of type 2 diabetes mellitus. VO(6epa)(2) x (H(2)O) was found to normalize the high blood glucose levels of KK-A(y) mice when given intraperitoneally at doses of 49 micromol/kg body weight for the first 4 days and then 39 micromol/kg body weight for 10 days. In addition, VO(6epa)(2) x (H(2)O) improved glucose tolerance ability as examined by the oral glucose test and seemed to have little toxicity in terms of serum parameters. VO(6epa)(2) x (H(2)O) showed higher normoglycemic activity than bis(6-methylpicolinato)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(6mpa)(2)) at the same dose. These results indicated that greater enhancement of the blood glucose normalizing effect in KK-A(y) mice by ethyl substitution compared to methyl substitution may be due to its being more strongly lipophilic.     

The relationship of some copper (II) complexes of facultative tetrathioethers to the coordination environment in the "blue" copper proteins

The facultative potentially tetradentate thioether ligands 1,2-bis(methylthioethylthio)ethane (2,2,2), 1,3-bis(2-methylthioethylthio)propane (2,3,2) and 1,2-bis(3-methylthiopropylthio)ethane (3,2,3) react with copper(II) salts to form Cu2(2,2,2)Cl4, Cu3(ligand)X6 (ligand = 2,3,2 and 3,2,3 X = Cl; ligand = 2,2,2 2,3,2 and 3,2,3 X = Br), and Cu(ligand)(ClO4)2. The stoichiometry and structures of these complexes are discussed in terms of the steric demands of the ligand and the nature of the halide. The [Cu(2,3,2)(ClO4)] ClO4 and [Cu(3,2,3)(ClO4) [ClO4 complexes have electronic spectra which exhibit the intense 600 nm band characteristic of the "blue" copper proteins. In fact, the spectrum of [Cu(2,3,2)(ClO4)]ClO4 is very similar to that of pseudomonas aeroginosa azurin.     

Synthesis, characterization and anti-diabetic effect of bis[(1-R-imidazolinyl)phenolato]oxovanadium(IV) complexes

The five-coordinate oxovanadium(IV) complexes; [VO(pimin)₂] (1a), [VO(Etpimin)₂] (2) and [VO(EtOHpimin)₂] (3), were prepared by reacting the ligands; 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazoline (piminH), 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethylimidazoline (EtpiminH) and 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethanolimidazoline (EtOHpiminH), with VOSO₄. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and cyclic voltammetry. All complexes show VO stretching vibrations between 932 and 987 cm⁻¹. The presence of three d-d transition occurring between 400 and 625 nm and the irreversible oxidation (V^IV → V^V) between 400 and 490 mV confirm the d¹ electronic configuration of the complexes. The solid state structures of [VO(pimin)₂] (1a) and its autoxidation hydrolysis product [VO₂(pimin)(piminH′)] (1b) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The geometry of [VO(pimin)₂] was found to be intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal and sits on a crystallographic twofold axis, while the geometry of [VO₂(pimin)(piminH′)] was distorted trigonal bipyramidal. Potentiometric titrations were used to determine the protonation and stability constants for the ligands and oxovanadium(IV) complexes, respectively. The species existing over a biological pH range were also investigated. The in vitro studies indicated that the oxovanadium(IV) complexes were effective in enhancing glucose uptake in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes, C2C12 muscle cells and Chang liver cell lines. In these cell lines, the anti-hyperglycemic effect was equivalent to or surpassed the effect of metformin.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and antimicrobial activities of monomeric 8-coordinate, and dimeric and monomeric 7-coordinate bismuth(III) complexes with tridentate and pentadentate thiosemicarbazones and pentadentate semicarbazone ligands

Novel bismuth(III) complexes 1-4 with the tridentate thiosemicarbazone ligand of 2N1S donor atoms [Hmtsc (L1); 2-acetylpyridine (4N-morpholyl thiosemicarbazone)], the pentadentate double-armed thiosemicarbazone ligand of 3N2S donor atoms [H2dmtsc (L3); 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(4N-morpholyl thiosemicarbazone)] and the pentadentate double-armed semicarbazone ligand of 3N2O donor atoms [H2dasc (L4b); 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(semicarbazone)], were prepared by reactions of bismuth(III) nitrate or bismuth(III) chloride and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), FTIR and NMR (1H and 13C) spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of complexes 1, 2a, 2b and 4b, and the "free" ligand L1 were determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The dimeric 7-coordinate bismuth(III) complex [Bi(dmtsc)(NO3)]2, 1, and the monomeric 7-coordinate complexes [Bi(Hdasc)(H2O)](NO3)2.H2O (major product), 2a, and [Bi(dasc)(H2O)]NO3.H2O (minor product), 2b, all with pentagonal bipyramidal bismuth(III) centers, are depicted with one electron pair (6s2) of the bismuth(III) atom, deprotonated forms of multidentate thiosemicarbazone or semicarbazone ligands, and monodentate NO3 or H2O ligands, respectively. These complexes are related to the positional isomers of one electron pair of the bismuth(III) atom; 1 has an electron pair positioned in the pentagonal plane (basal position), while 2a and 2b have an electron pair in the apical position. The monomeric 8-coordinate complex [Bi(mtsc)2(NO3)], 4b, which was obtained by slow evaporation in MeOH of the 1.5 hydrates 4a, was depicted with one electron pair of the bismuth(III) atom, two deprotonated mtsc- ligand and one nitrate ion. On the other hand, crystals of the complex "[Bi(mtsc)Cl2]", 3, prepared by a reaction of BiCl3 with L1 showed several polymorphs (3a, 3b, 3c and 3d) due to coordination and/or solvation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) used in the crystallization. Bismuth(III) complexes 1 and 4a showed selective and effective antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria. The structure-activity relationship was discussed.     

Syntheses and DNA-binding studies of two ruthenium(II) complexes containing one ancillary ligand of bpy or phen: [Ru(bpy)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)2 and [Ru(phen)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)2

Two new ruthenium(II) complexes of [Ru(bpy)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)2 and [Ru(phen)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)(2) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline, pp[2,3]p=pyrido[2',3':5,6]pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and 1H NMR spectra. The calf thymus DNA-binding properties of the two complexes were investigated by UV-visible and emission spectroscopy, competitive binding experiments with ethidium bromide and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the two complexes intercalate between the base pairs of the DNA tightly with intrinsic DNA-binding constants of 3.08 x 10(6) and 6.53 x 10(6) M(-1) in buffered 50 mM NaCl, respectively, which are much larger than 6.9 x 10(5) M(-1) for [Ru(bpy)2(pp[2,3]p)](ClO4)2 containing two ancillary ligands of bpy.