Two novel compounds of vanadium and molybdenum with carnitine exhibiting potential pharmacological use.

The reaction of sodium orthovanadate with carnitine hydrochloride molecule results in the precipitation of decavanadate compound of carnitine whereas the reaction of metallic molybdenum with hydrogen peroxide and carnitine results in the peroxo-molybdenum complex of carnitine. The decavanadate compound as well as the molybdenum complex of carnitine have been characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectra, (1)H NMR, 2D-COSY-NMR (=correlation spectroscopy) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition decavanadate compound of carnitine was fully characterized by X-ray crystallography. The analytical data were in good agreement with the empirical formulae of both, decavanadate compound and molybdenum complex. The two compounds were also evaluated for cell toxicity and their anticancer activity by the MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)-based assay method, using primary cells and tumor cell lines of both human and murine origins and the results show that compound 1 shows an increased biological activity in comparison with compound 2. Moreover using confocal microscopy and antibodies against cleaved caspase 3 we further analyzed the cell toxicity and we conclude that the apoptotic pathway is triggered efficiently with tumor specificity by compound 1 and not by compound 2.

Synthesis, spectroscopic study and anticancer activity of a water-soluble Nb(V) peroxo complex.

We synthesized, characterized and studied the anticancer properties of a new water-soluble peroxo niobium complex (K(3)[Nb(Asc)(O(2))(3)]·4H(2)O (Asc = ascorbate anion C(6)H(6)O(6)(2-))), as well as that of ascorbic acid, in human leukemic cells. The complex was synthesized and characterized by elemental, IR, Raman, thermogravimetric analysis, detailed NMR and mass spectra analysis. The cytotoxic activity of the complex on HL-60 and K562 human leukemia cell lines has been investigated by assessing vital cellular mechanisms, such as the metabolic activity (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; MTT) and the proliferation capacity (growth curves) of leukemia cells, as well as the structural integrity of cell membrane (trypan blue assay). The complex exerts an increased antiproliferative effect primarily on HL60 human leukemia cells, compared to ascorbic acid alone, as well as an inhibitory effect on necrosis caused by ascorbic acid. Its effect on K562 cells concerns mainly its inhibitory effect upon cell necrosis induced by ascorbic acid alone. Our results support a concentration- and time-dependent enhanced antileukemic effect of the complex, suggesting its significance as a promising tool in the confrontation of leukemia.

Metal complexes of the third-generation quinolone antimicrobial drug sparfloxacin: Structure and biological evaluation.

Five metal complexes of the third-generation quinolone antimicrobial agent sparfloxacin with Fe(3+), VO(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+) and UO(2)(2+) have been prepared and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. In these complexes, sparfloxacin acts as a bidentate deprotonated ligand bound to the metal through the ketone oxygen and a carboxylate oxygen. The complexes are six-coordinate with distorted octahedral geometry. For VO(sparfloxacinato)(2)(H(2)O) the axial position, trans to the vanadyl oxygen, is occupied by a ketone oxygen atom. Molecular mechanics calculations have been performed in order to propose a model for the structure of each complex. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested against three microorganisms showing that they exhibit lower activity than free sparfloxacin. UV spectroscopic titration with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) has shown that the complexes can bind to CT DNA and the binding constants to CT DNA have been calculated. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes in the presence of CT DNA have shown that they bind to CT DNA probably by the intercalative binding mode. Fluorescence competitive studies with ethidium bromide (EB) have revealed the ability of the complexes to displace the DNA-bound EB. The complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human and bovine serum albumin proteins having relatively high binding constant values.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of novel mononuclear peroxotungsten(VI) complexes. Insulinomimetic activity of W(VI) and Nb(V) peroxo complexes.

Two new mononuclear peroxo complexes of tungsten of the formula (gu)(2)[WO(2)(O(2))(2)] (1) and (gu)[WO(O(2))(2)(quin-2-c)] (2a) (where gu(+)=guanidinium ion, CN(3)H(6)(+) and quin-2-c=quinoline-2-carboxylate ion) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, Raman, UV-visible and (1)H NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structure of (gu)[WO(O(2))(2)(quin-2-c)].H(2)O (2b) determined by X-ray diffraction indicates that the side-on peroxo groups and the bidentate quinaldate ligand bind the W(VI) centre leading to an hepta coordination mode. The guanidinium ion occurring as a counterion and the hydrogen-bound interactions stabilize the complexes. The in vitro insulin-mimetic effect of the complexes has been evaluated by the inhibitory effect on free fatty acid release in isolated fat adipocytes treated with epinephrine. Moreover the niobate analogues, synthesized and characterized previously, (gu)(3)[Nb(O(2))(4)] and (gu)(2)[Nb(O(2))(3)(quin-2-c)].H(2)O have been tested for the insulin-like activity.

Enhanced concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect of the dinuclear copper(II) complex of L-carnitine [Cu2(L-carnitine)2Cl2(H2O)2]Cl2, compared to L-carnitine or copper chloride dihydrate, in human leukemic cell lines.

We studied the antitumor properties of the dinuclear copper(II) complex of l-carnitine [Cu 2( l-carnitine) 2Cl 2(H 2O) 2]Cl 2, as well as those of l-carnitine and copper chloride dihydrate, in human leukemic cells. The complex was synthesized and characterized using EPR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, IR, and UV-vis analyses. Its cytotoxic effect on the human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and K562 was studied by assessing the metabolic activity of cells (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT method), the structural integrity of cell membrane using Trypan blue assay, and the proliferation capacity of cells studying growth curves. Both leukemia cell lines showed a concentration-specific increased cytotoxicity of the complex, compared to l-carnitine or copper chloride dihydrate, with distinct underlying mechanisms, which were decreased proliferation efficiency for HL-60 cells and increased necrotic phenomena for K562 cells. Our results are indicative of a concentration-specific enhanced antileukemic effect of the complex, implying its value as a tool in the implementation of leukemia.

Structure, antimicrobial activity and DNA-binding properties of the cobalt(II)-sparfloxacin complex.

The neutral mononuclear cobalt(II) complex with sparfloxacin has been prepared and characterized with physicochemical, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, and molecular mechanics calculations. The interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA has been investigated with UV spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and competitive studies with ethidium bromide. The antimicrobial activity of the complex has been tested against three microorganisms.

Copper(II) complexes with sparfloxacin and nitrogen-donor heterocyclic ligands: Structure-activity relationship.

Three novel neutral mononuclear copper(II) complexes of the third-generation quinolone antibacterial drug sparfloxacin in the presence of a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand 2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-dipyridylamine have been prepared and characterized physicochemically and spectroscopically. The resultant complexes are of the type Cu(sparfloxacinato)(N-donor)Cl. Copper(II) is pentacoordinate having a distorted square pyramidal geometry. Molecular modeling calculations have been performed in order to propose the lowest energy model structure of the complexes. The interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA has been investigated with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has shown that the complexes can bind to calf-thymus DNA by the intercalative mode. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms. The Cu(sparfloxacinato)(N-donor)Cl complexes are among the most active ones against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, when compared to the other corresponding copper-quinolone complexes studied by our group and their antimicrobial activity is increased in the order bipyam

Novel copper(II) complex of N-propyl-norfloxacin and 1,10-phenanthroline with enhanced antileukemic and DNA nuclease activities.

We have synthesized and characterized a novel copper(II) complex of the fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug N-propyl-norfloxacin (Hpr-norf) in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and studied its biological properties as antitumor antibiotic and antimicrobial agent. Human acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60, MTT assay, and Trypan blue assay were used to test the antileukemic, the cell viability, and the structural integrity of the cell membrane and cell proliferation properties of (chloro)(Phen)( N-propyl-norfloxacinato)copper(II) (complex 1), respectively. We found that the proliferation rate and viability of HL-60 cells decreased after treatment with complex 1, leading to cell death through apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. The antimicrobial activity of complex 1 has been tested, revealing an increased potency in comparison to the free Hpr-norf. Complex 1 proved to be capable of acting as an independent nuclease by inducing nicking of supercoiled pUC19 plasmid. Our results suggest that 1 may provide a valuable tool in cancer chemotherapy.

Enhanced antileukemic activity of the novel complex 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate molybdenum(VI) against 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate, polyoxometalate of Mo(VI), and tetraphenylphosphonium in the human HL-60 and K562 leukemic cell lines.

We synthesized and studied the antitumor properties of the novel complex compound 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate molybdenum(VI) with tetraphenylphosphonium as counterion, which also acts as cancer cell growth inhibitor. A novel complex compound, the 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate molybdenum(VI) complex, (PPh4)2[Mo3O6(mu-O)2(2,5-DHBA)2] was synthesized. 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, and UV-Vis analyses were used for its molecular characterization. The human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and K562 were tested for their viability by assessing the metabolic activity of cells (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; MTT), the structural integrity of the cell membrane (Trypan blue assay), and cell proliferation ability (growth curves). We showed that both leukemia cell lines are induced to decreased proliferation efficiency after treatment with the novel complex, compared to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate, tetraphenyl-phosphonium polyoxomolybdate, or tetraphenylphosphonium chloride as individual entities, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the new 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate molybdenum(VI) complex may provide a valuable tool in cancer chemotherapy.

Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial activity, and interaction with DNA of the vanadyl-enrofloxacin complex.

The neutral mononuclear vanadyl complex with the quinolone antibacterial drug enrofloxacin has been prepared and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques and molecular mechanics calculations. The interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA has also been investigated and the antimicrobial activity has been evaluated against three different microorganisms.

Metal complexes with the quinolone antibacterial agent N-propyl-norfloxacin: synthesis, structure and bioactivity.

Nine new metal complexes of the quinolone antibacterial agent N-propyl-norfloxacin, pr-norfloxacin, with VO(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), MoO(2)(2+), Cd(2+) and UO(2)(2+) have been prepared and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques while molecular mechanics calculations for Fe(3+), VO(2+) and MoO(2)(2+) complexes have been performed. In all complexes, pr-norfloxacin acts as a bidentate deprotonated ligand bound to the metal through the pyridone and one carboxylate oxygen atoms. All complexes are six-coordinate with slightly distorted octahedral geometry. For the complex VO(N-propyl-norfloxacinato)(2)(H(2)O) the axial position, trans to the vanadyl oxygen, is occupied by one pyridone oxygen atom. The investigation of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA has been performed with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has shown that the complexes can be bound to calf-thymus DNA resulting to a B-->A DNA transition. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms. The complexes show equal or decreased biological activity in comparison to the free pr-norfloxacin except UO(2)(pr-norf)(2) which shows better inhibition against S. aureus.

Structure and biological properties of the copper(II) complex with the quinolone antibacterial drug N-propyl-norfloxacin and 2,2'-bipyridine.

The neutral mononuclear copper complex with the quinolone antibacterial drug N-propyl-protected norfloxacin, Hpr-norfloxacin, in the presence of the nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand 2,2'-bipyridine has been prepared and characterized. The crystal structure of (chloro)(2,2'-bipyridine)(pr-norfloxacinato)copper(II), 1, has been determined and refined with X-ray crystallography. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (=EPR) spectroscopy at liquid helium temperatures from powdered samples indicates the presence of dimeric units in consistency with the crystal structure. In aqueous solutions of 1 the EPR behavior indicates mixture of dimeric and monomeric species. The antimicrobial activity of the complex has been tested on three different microorganisms and the best inhibition (MIC=0.25mugmL(-1)) has been exhibited against Escherichia coli. The study of the interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA has been performed with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has shown that complex 1 is bound to calf-thymus DNA by the intercalative mode. Potential anticancer cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of complex 1 on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cell lines have been investigated. Complex 1 shows an increased antiproliferative and necrotic effect on both HL-60 and K562 human leukemia cells in comparison to the free pr-norfloxacin.

Neutral and cationic mononuclear copper(II) complexes with enrofloxacin: structure and biological activity.

The mononuclear copper complexes with the quinolone antibacterial drug enrofloxacin (=Herx) in the presence or not of a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand 1,10-phenanthroline (=phen) and 2,2'-bipyridine (=bipy) have been prepared and characterized. Interaction of copper(II) with deprotonated enrofloxacin leads to the formation of the neutral complex Cu(erx)2(H2O), 1, while the presence of phen or bipy leads to the formation of a neutral or a cationic mononuclear complex, respectively. The crystal structures of (chloro)(1,10-phenanthroline)(enrofloxacinato)copper(II), 2, and (aqua)(2,2'-bipyridine)(enrofloxacinato)copper(II) chloride, 3, have been determined with X-ray crystallography. The complexes have been studied with X-band electron paramagnetic resonance in aqueous solutions at liquid helium temperature. The study of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA has been performed with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has showed that all complexes are bound to DNA by the intercalative mode. The antimicrobial efficiency of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms and the available evidence supports that the best inhibition is provided by Cu(erx)2(H2O) (minimum inhibitory concentration=0.125 microg mL(-1)) against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Crystal structure, spectroscopic, and biological study of the copper(II) complex with third-generation quinolone antibiotic sparfloxacin.

The neutral mononuclear copper(II) complex with the quinolone antibacterial drug sparfloxacin has been prepared and characterized with IR, UV-vis, and EPR spectroscopies and X-ray crystallography. The interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA has also been investigated and the antimicrobial activity has been evaluated against three different microorganisms.