Syntheses and spectroscopic studies of potential antitumor copper(II) complexes with 5-phenylazo-3-methoxy salicylidene thiosemicarbazone and N4 substituted thiosemicarbazones

Five new copper(II) complexes of 5-phenylazo-3-methoxy salicylidene thiosemicarbazone and N4 substituted thiosemicarbazones have been synthesized. They have been characterized by chemical analyses, magnetic, conductance data, and by ultraviolet (UV)--visible, infrared, and electron spin resonance spectra. The complexes have the general formula CuL2, where HL is the ligand. One representative complex has been screened in vitro and in vivo against P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells sensitive and resistant to adriamycin (P388/S and P388/R). It has shown promising growth inhibition activity. We are reporting here for the first time the antineoplastic activity of this complex against experimental tumor systems.     

Synthesis and molecular mechanical studies of antiviral copper(II) complexes with morpholinebiguanide drug

The synthesis and characterization of new Cu(II) complexes with morpholinebiguanide drug are described. The complexes formed have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-VIS, conductance measurements, EPR spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Their biological activity is supported by the experimental data and enhanced by the theoretical ones. The morpholinebiguanide ligand and their copper(II)-complexes were studied by molecular mechanics program.     

Mechanisms underlying reductant-induced reactive oxygen species formation by anticancer copper(II) compounds

Intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via thiol-mediated reduction of copper(II) to copper(I) has been assumed as the major mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of copper(II) complexes. The aim of this study was to compare the anticancer potential of copper(II) complexes of Triapine (3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone; currently in phase II clinical trials) and its terminally dimethylated derivative with that of 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone and that of 2,2′-bipyridyl-6-carbothioamide. Experiments on generation of oxidative stress and the influence of biologically relevant reductants (glutathione, ascorbic acid) on the anticancer activity of the copper complexes revealed that reductant-dependent redox cycling occurred mainly outside the cells, leading to generation and dismutation of superoxide radicals resulting in cytotoxic amounts of H₂O₂. However, without extracellular reductants only weak intracellular ROS generation was observed at IC₅₀ levels, suggesting that cellular thiols are not involved in copper-complex-induced oxidative stress. Taken together, thiol-induced intracellular ROS generation might contribute to the anticancer activity of copper thiosemicarbazone complexes but is not the determining factor.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of copper(II) complexes derived from thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. Structure and biological activity of [Cu(C6H6N3S2)2].

The synthesis, structure and spectroscopic properties on complexes with the formula [Cu(Lm)2] (1) and Cu(NO3)2(HLm)2 (2), where HLm = thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, have been developed. The molecular structure of compound 1 consists of monomeric entities. The copper(II) ions exhibit distorted square-planar geometry with both bidentate thiosemicarbazone ligands placed in a centrosymmetric way. Metal to ligand pi-backdonation is proposed to explain several structural and spectroscopic features in these complexes. The EPR spectra of compound 1 show an orthorhombic g tensor indicating the presence of weak magnetic exchange interactions. The reaction of compound 1 with glutathione causes the reduction of the metal ion and the substitution of the thiosemicarbazone ligand by the thiol ligand. This mechanism seems to be related to the cytotoxicity of this complex against Friend Erithroleukemia cells (FLC) and melanome B16F10 cells.     

Synthesis, characterization, and antitumor activity of iron(II) and iron(III) complexes of alpha-N-heterocyclic carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones

Complexes of iron(II) and iron(III) with 1-formylisoquinoline thiosemicarbazone (1-iqtsc-H), 4-methyl-5-amino-1-formylisoquinoline thiosemicarbazone (4-Me-5-NH2-1-iqtsc-H) and 4-(m-aminophenyl)-2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (4-m-NH2ph-2-pytsc-H) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibilities (from room temperature down to liquid N2 temperature), and M?ssbauer, electronic, and infrared spectral studies. On the basis of these studies, a highly distorted, high-spin, five-coordinate structure for Fe(HL)SO4 (HL = 1-iqtsc-H, 4-Me-5-NH2-1-iqtsc-H or 4-m-NH2ph-2-pytsc-H) and a distorted, low-spin, octahedral structure for Fe(HL)Cl2 are suggested. The EPR spectra of iron(III) complexes show that all have dxy low-spin ground state. All these complexes have been screened for their antitumor activity against the P 388 lymphocytic leukemia test system in mice and have been found to possess significant activity at the dosages employed.     

Synthesis,spectral studies and screening for amoebicidal activity of new palladium(II) complexes derived from thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones

In view of the antiamoebic properties observed for many thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones, a series of N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones metal complexes derived from thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde was prepared for evaluation against Entamoeba histolytica. Reaction of thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde with cycloalkylaminothiocarbonylhydrazines having different amines gave the corresponding thiosemicarbazones. Reaction of latter with [Pd(DMSO)(2)Cl(2)] gave requisite palladium thiosemicarbazone complexes of the type [Pd(TSC)Cl(2)] (where TSC=thiosemicarbazones). Screening of antiamoebic activity of these compounds was assayed in vitro against (HM-1:1MSS) strain of E. histolytica. Enhancement of antiamoebic resulted from introducing palladium metal in the thiosemicarbazone moiety. Among the studied compounds, [Pd(2-TCA-1,2,3,4-THQTSC)Cl(2)] (2a) showed better activity.     

Copper(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-derived ligands: studies on DNA binding properties and nuclease activity

A series of copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L)]2+, where L = N,N'-dialkyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dimethanamine and R = methyl (L1), n-propyl (L2), isopropyl (L3), sec-butyl (L4), or tert-butyl (L5) group, have been synthesized. The interaction of the complexes with DNA has been studied by DNA fiber electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, emission, viscosity and electrochemical measurements and agarose gel electrophoresis. In the X-ray crystal structure of [Cu(HL2)Cl2]NO3, copper(II) is coordinated to two ring nitrogens and one of the two secondary amine nitrogens of the side chains and two chloride ions as well and the coordination geometry is best described as trigonal bipyramidal distorted square based pyramidal (TBDSBP). Electronic and EPR spectral studies reveal that all the complexes in aqueous solution around pH 7 possess CuN3O2 rather than CuN4O chromophore with one of the alkylamino side chain not involved in coordination. The structures of the complexes in aqueous solution around pH 7 change from distorted tetragonal to trigonal bipyramidal as the size of the alkyl group is increased. The observed changes in the physicochemical features of the complexes on binding to DNA suggest that the complexes, except [Cu(L5)]2+, bind to DNA with partial intercalation of the derivatised phen ring in between the DNA base pairs. Electrochemical studies reveal that the complexes prefer to bind to DNA in Cu(II) rather than Cu(I) oxidation state. Interestingly, [Cu(L5)]2+ shows the highest DNA cleavage activity among all the present copper(II) complexes suggesting that the bulky N-tert-butyl group plays an important role in modifying the coordination environment around the copper(II) center, the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potential and hence the formation of activated oxidant responsible for the cleavage. These results were compared with those for bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II), [Cu(phen)2]2+.     

Antifungal and antitumor activity of heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes: current status

More than 75 substituted thiosemicarbazones and a number of metal complexes of each have been assayed for their antifungal activity. Their activity is significantly affected by the substituted groups attached at both¹ N and⁴ N of the thiosemicarbazone moiety. Greatest activity occurs for 2-substituted pyridine thiosemicarbazones with differences observed for 2-formylpyridine, 2-acetylpyridine and 2-benzoylpyridine derivatives and their metal complexes. Further, there are activity differences for⁴ N-alkyl-,⁴ N-aryl-,⁴ N-dialkyl- and 3-azacyclothiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes as well as changes in the substituent size among each of these subgroups. Cu(II) complexes are often more active than the uncomplexed thiosemicarbazones, with the latter showing similar activity to Ni(II) complexes in many instances. The reduction potential of the thiosemicarbazone ligand in a Cu(II) complex, the strength of the ligand field and various spectral properties can be correlated to the inhibitory activity.     

Synthesis, characterisation and antiamoebic activity of new thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone derivatives and their cyclooctadiene Ru(II) complexes

Reaction of new thiosemicarbazones (1-4) derived from thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and cycloalkylaminothiocarbonylhydrazine with [Ru(eta(4)-C8H12)(CH3CN)2Cl2] leads to form complexes (1a-4a) of the type [Ru(eta(4)-C8H12)(TSC)Cl2] (where TSC=thiosemicarbazone). All the compounds have been characterised by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, electronic spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. It is concluded that the thionic sulphur and the azomethine nitrogen atom of the ligands are bonded to the metal ion. In vitro antiamoebic screening against (HK-9) strain of Entamoeba histolytica indicated that the Ru(II) complexes of thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones were found more active than the thiosemicarbazones.     

Synthesis, structure and biological activity of copper(II) complexes with oxolinic acid

The neutral mononuclear copper complexes with the quinolone antibacterial drug oxolinic acid in the presence or not of a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine or 2,2'-dipyridylamine have been synthesized and characterized with infrared, UV-visible and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. The experimental data suggest that oxolinic acid acts as a deprotonated bidentate ligand and is coordinated to the metal ion through the pyridone and one carboxylate oxygen atoms. The crystal structure of (chloro)(1,10-phenanthroline)(oxolinato) copper(II), 2, has been determined with X-ray crystallography. For all complexes a distorted square pyramidal environment around Cu(II) is suggested. The EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) behavior of 2 in aqueous solutions indicates mixture of dimeric and monomeric species. The investigation of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA has been performed with diverse spectroscopic techniques and showed that the complexes are bound to calf-thymus DNA. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms. The complexes show a decreased biological activity in comparison to the free oxolinic acid.     

Double-strand DNA cleavage induced by oxindole-Schiff base copper(II) complexes with potential antitumor activity

Some oxindole-Schiff base copper(II) complexes have already shown potential antitumor activity towards different cells, inducing apoptosis in a process modulated by the ligand, and having nuclei and mitochondria as main targets. Here, three novel copper(II) complexes with analogous ligands were isolated and characterized by spectroscopic techniques, having their reactivity compared to the so far most active complex in this class. Cytotoxicity experiments carried out toward human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells confirmed its pro-apoptosis property. DNA cleavage studies were then performed in the presence of these complexes, in order to verify the influence of ligand structural features in its nuclease activity. All of them were able to cause double-strand DNA scissions, giving rise to nicked circular Form II and linear Form III species, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, DNA Form II was also detected in the absence of peroxide when the most active complex, [Cu(isaepy)₂]²⁺ 1, was used. In an effort to better elucidate their interactions with DNA, solutions of the different complexes titrated with DNA had their absorption spectra monitored. An absorbance hyperchromism observed at 260 nm pointed to the intercalation of these complexes into the DNA structure. Further, investigations of 2-deoxy-d-ribose (DR) oxidation catalyzed by each of those complexes, using 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) method, and detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by spin-trapping EPR, suggested that their mechanism of action in performing efficiently DNA cleavage occurs preferentially, but not only by oxidative pathways.     

Binding of oxindole-Schiff base copper(II) complexes to DNA and its modulation by the ligand

Previous studies on copper(II) complexes with oxindole-Schiff base ligands have shown their potential antitumor activity towards different cells, inducing apoptosis through a preferential attack to DNA and/or mitochondria. Herein, we better characterize the interactions between some of these copper(II) complexes and DNA. Investigations on its binding ability to DNA were carried out by fluorescence measurements in competitive experiments with ethidium bromide, using plasmidial or calf-thymus DNA. These results indicated an efficient binding process similar to that observed with copper(II)-phenanthroline species, [Cu(o-phen)₂]²⁺, with binding constants in the range 3 to 9 × 10² M^− 1. DNA cleavage experiments in the presence and absence of distamycin, a recognized binder of DNA, indicated that this binding probably occurs at major or minor groove, leading to double-strand DNA cleavage, and being modulated by the imine ligand. Corroborating these data, discrete changes in EPR spectra of the studied complexes were observed in the presence of DNA, while more remarkable changes were observed in the presence of nucleotides (AMP, GMP, CMP or UMP). Additional evidence for preferential coordination of the copper centers to the bases guanine or cytosine was obtained from titrations of these complexes with each nucleotide, monitored by absorption spectral changes. Therefore, the obtained data point out to their action as groove binders to DNA bases, rather than as intercalators or covalent cross-linkers. Further investigations by SDS PAGE using ³²P-ATP or ³²P-oligonucleotides attested that no hydrolysis of phosphate linkage in DNA or RNA occurs, in the presence of such complexes, confirming their main oxidative mechanism of action.     

Oxidative cleavage of DNA by homo- and heteronuclear Cu(II)-Mn(II) complexes of an oxime-type ligand

Novel homodinuclear Cu(II) (K1), heterodinuclear Cu(II)-Mn(II) (K2) and homotrinuclear Cu(II) (K3) complexes with a novel oxime-type ligand have been prepared and their nucleolytic activities on pCYTEXP were established by neutral agarose gel electrophoresis. The analyses of the cleavage products obtained electrophoretically indicate that although the examined complexes induces very similar conformational changes on supercoiled DNA by converting supercoiled form to nicked form than linear form in a sequential manner as the complex concentration or reaction period is increased, K3 is less effective than the two others. The oxime complexes were nucleolytically active at physiological pH values but the activities of K1 or K2 were diminished by increasing the pH of the reaction mixture. In contrast, K3 makes dominantly single strand nicking by producing nicked circles on DNA at almost all the applied pH values. Metal complex induced DNA cleavage was also tested for inhibition by various radical scavengers as superoxide dismutase (SOD), azide, thiourea and potassium iodide. The antioxidants inhibited the nucleolytic acitivities of the oxime complexes but SOD afforded no protection indicating that the nucleolytic mechanism involves of copper and/or manganese complex-mediated reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals being responsible for the oxidative DNA cleavage.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of ternary copper(II)-thiosemicarbazone complexes having heterocyclic bases

New ternary copper(II) complexes of formulations [Cu(Ph-tsc)B] (B=1,10-phenanthroline, phen (1); dipyridoquinoxaline, dpq (2); dipyridophenazine, dppz (3); Ph-H₂tsc, salicylaldehyde-N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazone) and [Cu(Me-tsc)(phen)] (4, Me-H₂tsc, salicylaldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) are prepared, and their DNA binding and cleavage properties studied. Complex 1 has been characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The molecular structure shows a distorted square pyramidal (4 + 1) geometry of the complex with the dianionic NSO-donor N(4)-phenyl-substituted thiosemicarbazone binding at the basal plane and the NN-donor planar heterocyclic base (phen) displaying axial-equatorial coordination. The one-electron paramagnetic complexes exhibit axial EPR spectra and show a d-d band near 580 nm for the phen and near 720 nm for the dpq, dppz complexes in their electronic spectra in DMF. The complexes show quasireversible cyclic voltammetric response near 0.08 V vs. SCE in DMF-0.1 M TBAP assignable to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. The Ph-tsc complexes display good binding propensity to calf thymus (CT) DNA. They also show oxidative cleavage of supercoiled (SC) pUC19 DNA in dark under aerobic condition in the presence of mercaptopropionic acid. The complexes exhibit light-induced DNA cleavage activity at 312 and 532 nm. Mechanistic investigations reveal DNA minor groove binding for the phen and dpq complexes, and major groove binding for the dppz species. The complexes are cleavage inactive under argon atmosphere. In the ternary structure, the thiosemicarbazones, dpq and dppz act as photosensitizers, while the planar heterocyclic bases are binder to DNA. The mechanistic pathways involved and the role of metal in the DNA cleavage reactions are discussed.     

Copper(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes of lapachol: synthesis,DNA interaction,and cytotoxicity

Three novel copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) complexes of lapachol (Lap) containing 110-phenanthroline (phen) ligand, [M(Lap)₂(phen)] (M=Cu(II), 1, Co(II), 2, and Ni(II), 3), have been synthesized and characterized using, elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies. Their interactions with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were investigated using viscosity, thermal denaturation, circular dichorism, fluorescence quenching, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The DNA cleavage abilities of 1–3 have been studied, where cleavage activity of copper complex 1 is more than the complexes 2 and 3. The in vitro cytotoxic potential of the complexes 1–3 against human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells indicated their promising antitumor activity with quite low IC₅₀ values in the range of .15–2.41 μM, which are lower than those of cisplatin.     

EPR and O2.- scavenger activity: Cu(II)-peptide complexes as superoxide dismutase models.

Several copper(II) complexes with aminoacids and peptides are known to show superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. EPR spectroscopy has proved to be a useful tool for studying the complex equilibria of the copper(II) ion and various ligands of biological importance in solution. In the present work, a variety of copper(II) complexes with di-, tri- and tetra-peptides containing only glycine residues (GG, GGG and GGGG) and others containing a histidyl residue in different positions (HGG, GHG, GGH and GGHG) have been investigated. EPR parameters obtained by extensive use of computer simulation of spectra lead to reliable spin Hamiltonian EPR parameters at both room temperature and in frozen solution. The molecular orbital coefficients computed from the anisotropic EPR data and the d-d electronic energies are used to characterize different arrangements of the complexes. Estimation of the scavenger activity of the complexes due to the particular environment created by the ligands around copper is discussed in the frame of the structure-activity relationship.     

New Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with N,S-chelated pyrazolonate ligands: molecular and supramolecular structure and preliminary study of their in vitro antitumoral activity

New Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes [ML2] (HL=a substituted 2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-pyrazolone-1-carbothioamide) have been synthesized by reacting K2MCl4 (M=Pd, Pt) or Pd(OAc)2 with beta-ketoester thiosemicarbazones. The structures of seven of these complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. Although all exhibit a distorted square-planar coordination with trans- or (in one case) cis-[MN2S2] kernels, their supramolecular arrangements vary widely from isolated molecules to 3D-networks. The in vitro antitumoral assays performed with two HL ligands and their metal complexes showed significant cytostatic activity for the latter, with the most active [ML2] derivative (a palladium complex) being about sixteen times more active than cis-DDP against the cisplatinum-resistant cell line A2780cisR.     

Investigations into some aryl substituted bis(thiosemicarbazones) and their copper complexes

The synthesis of three bis(thiosemicarbazone) compounds formed by the reaction of benzil with either thiosemicarbazide, 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide or 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide are reported. The compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and in the case of benzil bis(4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) and benzil bis(4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) by X-ray crystallography. Attempts to purify benzil bis(thiosemicarbazone) and benzil bis (4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) by recrystallisation resulted in the isolation of cyclised products that were characterised by X-ray crystallography. The 3 bis(thiosemicarbazone) compounds were used to synthesise both Cu(II) and Cu(I) complexes. The copper(II) complexes were formed by the reaction of the proligands with copper(II) acetate which gave neutral copper(II) complexes in which the thiosemicarbazone is doubly deprotonated, acting as a dianionic ligand. The copper(II)-benzil bis(4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazonato) complex was characterised by X-ray crystallography to show the copper in an essentially square planar N₂S₂ environment. The copper(I) complexes were synthesised by reacting the bis (thiosemicarbazone) ligands with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]PF₆ to give cationic complexes. The copper(I)-benzil-bis(thiosemicarbazone) complex was characterised by X-ray crystallography which revealed that the complex was a dimeric dication. Each of the benzil bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligands act as a bidentate N,S donor to each copper(I) atom, forming an overall helical structure in which each copper atom is in a strongly distorted tetrahedral N₂S₂ environment. Electrochemical measurements show that the copper(II)-benzil bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complex undergoes a reversible reduction at biologically accessible potentials.     

Metal-assisted light-induced DNA cleavage activity of 2-(methylthio)phenylsalicylaldimine Schiff base copper(II) complexes having planar heterocyclic bases

Ternary copper(II) complexes [CuLL'](ClO(4)), where HL is NSO-donor Schiff base (2-(methylthio)phenyl)salicylaldimine and L' is NN-donor phenanthroline bases like 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), are prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complexes have a distorted square-pyramidal (4+1) CuN(3)OS coordination geometry. While [CuL(phen)](ClO(4)) and [CuL(dpq)](ClO(4)) show axial sulfur ligation, [CuL(dmp)](ClO(4)) has the sulfur bonded at the equatorial site. The one-electron paramagnetic complexes exhibit axial electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra in dimethylformamide glass at 77 K. The complexes are redox active and a quasireversible electron transfer process near 0.0 V vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in DMF-Tris buffer (1:4 v/v at pH 7.2) involving Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple is observed for the phen and dpq complexes. The dmp complex exhibits an irreversible reduction process forming bis(dmp)copper(I) species. A profound effect of the substituents of the phenanthroline bases is observed on the binding of the complexes to the calf thymus (CT) and in the cleavage of supercoiled (SC) pUC19 DNA. The phen and dpq complexes show DNA cleavage activity in presence of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA). The dmp complex is cleavage inactive in presence of MPA. All the complexes show photocleavage activity when irradiated with a monochromatic UV light of 312 nm. The dpq complex also cleaves SC DNA on visible light irradiation at 436, 532 and 632.8 nm but with a longer exposure time and higher complex concentration. The cleavage reactions in presence of MPA are found to involve hydroxyl radical. The photocleavage reactions are found to occur under aerobic conditions showing an enhancement of cleavage in D(2)O and inhibition with azide addition suggesting formation of singlet oxygen as a reactive species. The roles of sulfur of the Schiff base as photosensitizer and the phenanthroline bases as minor groove binder, and their influence on the photocleavage activity are discussed. The quinoxaline ligand exhibits significant photosensitizing effect assisted by the copper(II) center.