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Substitution of a labile Cl− for an NHC ligand in DNA-intercalating [Pt(terpyridine)]+ complexes improved the cytotoxicity and cellular accumulation, while in vivo studies indicated good tolerability in zebrafish.

The substitution of phenyl rings in established drugs with ferrocenyl moieties has been reported to yield compounds with improved biological activity and alternative modes of action, often involving the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Translating this concept to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes, we report here organometallics with a piano-stool structure that feature di- or tridentate ligand systems. The ligands impacted the cytotoxic activity of the NHC complexes, but the coordination modes seemed to have a limited influence, which may be related to the propensity of forming the same species in solution. In general, the stability of the complexes in an aqueous environment and their reactivity to selected biomolecules were largely dominated by the nature of the metal center. While the complexes promoted the formation of ROS, the levels did not correlate with their cytotoxic activity. However, the introduction of ferrocenyl moieties had a significant impact on the antiproliferative potency of the complexes and, in particular, some of the ferrocenyl-functionalized compounds yielded IC

A new [PdPtL4]4+ heterobimetallic cage containing hydrazone linkages has been synthesised using the sub-component self-assembly approach.

The incorporation of the ferrocenyl moiety into a bioactive molecule may significantly alter the activity of the resulting conjugate. By applying this strategy, we designed ferrocenyl analogs of monastrol - the first low molecular weight kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor. The obtained compounds showed low micromolar antiproliferative activity towards a panel of sensitive and ABC-overexpressing cancer cells. Most cytotoxic compounds exhibited also higher KSP modulatory activity and ability for ROS generation compared to monastrol. The increased bioactivity of the studied compounds can be attributed to the presence of the ferrocenyl group.

Understanding binding site preferences in biological systems as well as affinities to binding partners is a crucial aspect in metallodrug development. We here present a mass spectrometry-based method to compare relative stabilities of metal-peptide adducts in the gas phase. Angiotensin 1 and substance P were used as model peptides. Incubation with isostructural N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of RuII , OsII , RhIII , and IrIII led to the formation of various adducts, which were subsequently studied by energy-resolved fragmentation experiments. The gas-phase stability of the metal-peptide bonds depended on the metal and the binding partner. Of the four complexes used, the OsII derivative bound strongest to Met, while RuII formed the most stable coordination bond with His. RhIII was identified as the weakest peptide binder and IrIII formed peptide adducts with intermediate stability. Probing these intrinsic gas-phase properties can help in the interpretation of biological activities and the design of site-specific protein binding metal complexes.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are widely investigated in medicinal inorganic chemistry. Here, we report the preparation and characterization of a series of half-sandwich [M(L)(NHC)Cl2] (M = Ru, Os, Rh, Ir; L = cym/Cp*) complexes with a N-flanking anthracenyl moiety attached to imidazole- and benzimidazole-derived NHC ligands. The anticancer activity of the complexes was investigated in cell culture studies where, in comparison to a Rh derivative with an all-carbon-donor-atom-based ligand (5a), they were found to be cytotoxic with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The Ru derivative 1a was chosen as a representative for stability studies as well as for biomolecule interaction experiments. It underwent partial chlorido/aqua ligand exchange in DMSO-d6/D2O to rapidly form an equilibrium in aqueous media. The reactions of 1a with biomolecules proceeded quickly and resulted in the formation of adducts with amino acids, DNA, and protein. Hen egg white lysozyme crystals were soaked with 1a, and the crystallographic analysis revealed an interaction with an l-aspartic acid residue (Asp119), resulting in the cleavage of the p-cymene ligand but the retention of the NHC moiety. Cell morphology studies for the Rh analog 3a suggested that the cytotoxicity is exerted via mechanisms different from that of cisplatin.

We report investigations on the anticancer activity of organometallic [MII/III (η6 -p-cymene/η5 -pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)] (M=Ru, Os, Rh, and Ir) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) substituted with a triazolyl moiety. Depending on the precursors, the NHC ligands displayed either mono- or bidentate coordination via the NHC carbon atom or as N,C-donors. The metal complexes were investigated for their stability in aqueous solution, with the interpretation supported by density functional theory calculations, and reactivity to biomolecules. In vitro cytotoxicity studies suggested that the nature of both the metal center and the lipophilicity of the ligand determine the biological properties of this class of compounds. The IrIII complex 5 d bearing a benzimidazole-derived ligand was the most cytotoxic with an IC50 value of 10 μM against NCI-H460 non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Cell uptake and distribution studies using X-ray fluorescence microscopy revealed localization of 5 d in the cytoplasm of cancer cells.

Metal complexes can be considered a "paradigm of promiscuity" when it comes to their interactions with proteins. They often form adducts with a variety of donor atoms in an unselective manner. We have characterized the adducts formed between a series of isostructural N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes with Ru, Os, Rh, and Ir centers and the model protein hen egg white lysozyme by X-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry. Distinctive behavior for the metal compounds was observed with the more labile Ru and Rh complexes targeting mainly a surface l-histidine moiety through cleavage of p-cymene or NHC co-ligands, respectively. In contrast, the more inert Os and Ir derivatives were detected abundantly in an electronegative binding pocket after undergoing ligand exchange of a chlorido ligand for an amino acid side chain. Computational studies supported the binding profiles and hinted at the role of the protein microenvironment for metal complexes eliciting selectivity for specific binding sites on the protein.

Investigations on incorporating an N-flanking anthracenyl moiety to [Rh(Cp*)(NHC)Cl2] complexes surprisingly led to the formation of an intramolecular C-C bond between the Cp* and anthracenyl moieties, with additional auxiliary interactions between the metal and the anthracenyl ring system. In silico modeling supports a reaction mechanism whereby Rh(η4-tetramethylfulvene) intermediates undergo metallocycloaddition and the abstraction of a chlorido ligand, affording unique cationic complexes that feature Rh centers coordinated by a nonadentate ligand with exclusively carbon donor atoms. Some Rh-C interactions were extremely weak but nevertheless exhibited covalent bonding character. These weak Rh-C interactions were readily displaced by stronger electron donors, and the nonadentate ligand reverted to the heptadentate coordination mode observed in the intermediate. As far as we are aware, this study provides the first conclusive evidence of complexes bearing a single nonadentate κ9-coordinating ligand that features only carbon donors bound to a metal center.

Organometallic Rh(Cp*) (Cp* = η

Ruthenium-based complexes have attracted attention as promising anticancer candidates due to their lower general toxicity than the widely used platinum drugs. The complex [RuII(η6-p-cymene)(8-oxyquinolinato)Cl] 1 has shown significant cytotoxic activity in cancer cells, independent of the cellular uptake. In an attempt to rationalize this finding, we investigated the fate of 1 in cells as well as developed an analysis method for 1 and its derivatives based on molecular mass spectrometry. The methods were applied for the analysis of cell medium and HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell lysate samples. The amount of Ru detected in cell lysate after treatment with 1 by ICP-MS was virtually time-independent, while the Ru content in the cell pellet increased significantly over the course of 24 h. The compound was still detectable by LC-ESI-TOF-MS after 24 h in cell lysate as its [1 − Cl]+ ion that may be formed directly from 1 or after a chlorido-aqua ligand exchange reaction facilitated in the cytosol.

While most Rh-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes currently investigated in anticancer research contain a Rh(III) metal center, an increasing amount of research is focusing on the cytotoxic activity and mode of action of square-planar [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] (where COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) which contains a Rh(I) center. The enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and the protein albumin have been proposed as potential targets, but the molecular processes taking place upon protein interaction remain elusive. Herein, we report the preparation of peptide-conjugated and its nonconjugated parent [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] complexes, an in-depth investigation of both their stability in solution, and a crystallographic study of protein interaction. The organorhodium compounds showed a rapid loss of the COD ligand and slow loss of the NHC ligand in aqueous solution. These ligand exchange reactions were reflected in studies on the interaction with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) as a model protein in single-crystal X-ray crystallographic investigations. Upon treatment of HEWL with an amino acid functionalized [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] complex, two distinct rhodium adducts were found initially after 7 d of incubation at His15 and after 4 weeks also at Lys33. In both cases, the COD and chlorido ligands had been substituted with aqua and/or hydroxido ligands. While the histidine (His) adduct also indicated a loss of the NHC ligand, the lysine (Lys) adduct retained the NHC core derived from the amino acid l-histidine. In either case, an octahedral coordination environment of the metal center indicates oxidation to Rh(III). This investigation gives the first insight on the interaction of Rh(I)(NHC) complexes and proteins at the molecular level.

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL4 ]4+ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (PdII and PtII ) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert PtII tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and PdII ions led to the assembly of the cage. 1 H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The structure of the host-guest adduct with a 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N'-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open-cage [PtL4 ]2+ compound and [Pd(DMAP)4 ]2+ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).

A strategy for the generation of heterotrimetallic double cavity (DC) cages [Pd

Metal complexes bind to a wide variety of biomolecules and the control of the reactivity is essential when designing anticancer metallodrugs with a specific mode of action in mind. In this study, we used the highly cytotoxic compound [RuII(cym)(8-HQ)Cl] (cym = η6-p-cymene, 8-HQ = 8-hydroxyquinoline), the more inert derivative [RuII(cym)(8-HQ)(PTA)](SO3CF3) (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), and [RuII(cym)(PCA)Cl]Cl (PCA = pyridinecarbothioamide) as a complex with a different coordination environment about the Ru center and investigated their stability, interactions with proteins, and behavior in medium (αMEM) and human serum by capillary zone electrophoresis. The developed method was found to be robust and provides a quick and low-cost technique to monitor the interactions of such complexes with biomolecules. Each complex was found to behave very differently, emphasizing the importance of the choice of ligands and demonstrating the applicability of the developed method. Additionally, the human serum albumin binding site preference of [RuII(cym)(8-HQ)Cl] was investigated through displacement studies, revealing that the compound was able to bind to both sites I and site II, and the type of adducts formed with transferrin was determined by mass spectrometry.

The number of donor atoms available on peptides that can competitively coordinate to metal centers renders the site-selective generation of advanced metal-peptide conjugates in high purity a challenging venture. Herein, we present a transmetalation-based synthetic approach on solid support in which an imidazolium pro-ligand can be used to selectively anchor a range of transition metal half-sandwich complexes onto peptides in the presence of multiple coordinative motifs. Amenable to solid support, a range of N-terminus and/or lysine conjugated metal-peptide conjugates were obtained in high purity after cleavage from the resin. The metalated peptides were evaluated for their anticancer properties against human cancer cell lines. While no cytotoxic activity was observed, this platform has the potential to i) provide a pathway to site-selective peptide labelling, ii) be explored as a biorthogonal handle and/or iii) generate a new strategy for ligand design in transition metal catalysts.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are widely investigated in medicinal inorganic chemistry. Here, we report the preparation and characterization of a series of half-sandwich [M(L)(NHC)Cl

Metal complexes provide a versatile platform to develop novel anticancer pharmacophores, and they form stable compounds with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, some of which have been shown to inhibit the cancer-related selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). To expand a library of isostructural NHC complexes, we report here the preparation of RhIII- and IrIII(Cp*)(NHC)Cl2 (Cp* = η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) compounds and comparison of their properties to the RuII- and OsII(cym) analogues (cym = η6-p-cymene). Like the RuII- and OsII(cym) complexes, the RhIII- and IrIII(Cp*) derivatives exhibit cytotoxic activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the low micromolar range against a set of four human cancer cell lines. In studies on the uptake and localization of the compounds in cancer cells by X-ray fluorescence microscopy, the Ru and Os derivatives were shown to accumulate in the cytoplasmic region of treated cells. In an attempt to tie the localization of the compounds to the inhibition of the tentative target TrxR, it was surprisingly found that only the Rh complexes showed significant inhibitory activity at IC50 values of ∼1 μM, independent of the substituents on the NHC ligand. This indicates that, although TrxR may be a potential target for anticancer metal complexes, it is unlikely the main target or the sole target for the Ru, Os, and Ir compounds described here, and other targets should be considered. In contrast, Rh(Cp*)(NHC)Cl2 complexes may be a scaffold for the development of TrxR inhibitors.

The stoichiometry and stability constants of the gallium(III) and iron(III) complexes of two alkoxycarbonylmethyl-3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone ligands were determined by means of pH-potentiometry, UV–Vis spectrophotometry and 1H and 71Ga NMR spectroscopy in aqueous solution. The cytotoxicity of one of the gallium(III) complexes was also measured in multidrug resistant/non-resistant human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Iron(III) forms complexes with the studied 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinones of higher stability than gallium(III), while the obtained pFe values are significantly lower (pFe: 14.95, 15.06; pH 7.4, cM = 1 µM, cL = 10 µM) compared to those of typical iron binders such as deferiprone or transferrin. The moderate gallium(III) and iron(III) binding ability of the compounds stands for lower solution complex stability compared to that of analogous bidentate non-substituted 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone or 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (O,O) donor ligands. Tris-ligand complexes of the general formula [ML3] (M = Ga, Fe) predominate at physiological pH for both ligands. No interaction with cell culture medium components was observed in the millimolar concentration range of gallium(III) complexes, however they can suffer significant decomposition at biologically relevant low concentrations leading to negligible cytotoxic activity. The redox potential of the studied iron–3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone complex (E1/2 = −597 mV at pH 7.4) falls into the range that is typical of iron(III) complexes with conventional bidentate (O,O) donor-containing chelators.

In recent years, extensive research efforts have been focused on loading metal complexes onto macromolecular systems such as nanoparticles. We report a ligand with a catechol group based on a picolinamide which allows for coordination to organoruthenium moieties while the catechol group remains available for loading on nanoparticles as delivery vehicles towards tumors. All the compounds were characterized with standard analytical methods and the molecular structure of the ligand 1, and its Ru complexes 1a and 1b were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure of 1a and 1b showed pseudo-tetrahedral geometry of the Ru center with “piano-stool” conformation and 1 coordinated as an N,O-bidentate ligand, however, the latter depending on the reaction conditions employed. The Ru complexes 1a–1c were effectively loaded on magnetite nanoparticles as characterized by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Two new di(2,2′-bipyridine) ligands, 2,6-bis([2,2′-bipyridin]-5-ylethynyl)pyridine (L1) and bis(4-([2,2′-bipyridin]-5-ylethynyl)phenyl)methane (L2) were synthesized and used to generate two metallosupramolecular [Fe2(L)3](BF4)4 cylinders. The ligands and cylinders were characterized using elemental analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV-vis, 1H-, 13C and DOSY nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The molecular structures of the [Fe2(L)3](BF4)4 cylinders were confirmed using X-ray crystallography. Both the [Fe2(L1)3](BF4)4 and [Fe2(L2)3](BF4)4 complexes crystallized as racemic (rac) mixtures of the ΔΔ (P) and ΛΛ (M) helicates. However, 1H NMR spectra showed that in solution the larger [Fe2(L2)3](BF4)4 was a mixture of the rac-ΔΔ/ΛΛ and meso-ΔΛ isomers. The host-guest chemistry of the helicates, which both feature a central cavity, was examined with several small drug molecules. However, none of the potential guests were found to bind within the helicates. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that both helicates were active against four cancer cell lines. The smaller [Fe2(L1)3](BF4)4 system displayed low μM activity against the HCT116 (IC50 = 7.1 ± 0.5 μM) and NCI-H460 (IC50 = 4.9 ± 0.4 μM) cancer cells. While the antiproliferative effects against all the cell lines examined were less than the well-known anticancer drug cisplatin, their modes of action would be expected to be very different.

Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) is an important oxygen sensor in animals. By using the CO-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) as an in situ CO donor, we demonstrate that CO is an inhibitor of PHD2. This report provides further evidence about the emerging role of CO in oxygen sensing and homeostasis.

Ruthenium-based complexes have attracted attention as promising anticancer candidates due to their lower general toxicity than the widely used platinum drugs. The complex [Ru

The development of bifunctional platinum complexes with the ability to interact with DNA via different binding modes is of interest in anticancer metallodrug research. Therefore, we report platinum(II) terpyridine complexes to target DNA by coordination and/or through a tethered alkylating moiety. The platinum complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative properties against the human cancer cell lines HCT116 (colorectal), SW480 (colon), NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung), and SiHa (cervix) and generally exhibited potent antiproliferative activity although lower than their respective terpyridine ligands. 1H NMR spectroscopy and/or ESI-MS studies on the aqueous stability and reactivity with various small biomolecules, acting as protein and DNA model compounds, were used to establish potential modes of action for these complexes. These investigations indicated rapid binding of complex PtL3 to the biomolecules through coordination to the Pt center, while PtL4 in addition alkylated 9-ethylguanine. PtL3 was investigated for its reactivity to the model protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) by protein crystallography which allowed identification of the Nδ1 atom of His15 as the binding site.

Androgen receptor (AR)-null prostate tumors have been observed in 11&ndash, 24% of patients. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are overexpressed in prostate tumors. Therefore, HDAC inhibitors (Jazz90 and Jazz167) were examined in AR-null prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and DU145). Both Jazz90 and Jazz167 inhibited the growth of PC3 and DU145 cells. Jazz90 and Jazz167 were more active in PC3 cells and DU145 cells in comparison to normal prostate cells (PNT1A) and showed a 2.45- and 1.30-fold selectivity and higher cytotoxicity toward DU145 cells, respectively. Jazz90 and Jazz167 reduced HDAC activity by ~60% at 50 nM in PC3 lysates. At 4 &mu, M, Jazz90 and Jazz167 increased acetylation in PC3 cells by 6- to 8-fold. Flow cytometry studies on the cell phase distribution demonstrated that Jazz90 causes a G0/G1 arrest in AR-null cells, whereas Jazz167 leads to a G0/G1 arrest in DU145 cells. However, apoptosis only occurred at a maximum of 7% of the total cell population following compound treatments in PC3 and DU145 cells. There was a reduction in cyclin D1 and no significant changes in bcl-2 in DU145 and PC3 cells. Overall, the results showed that Jazz90 and Jazz167 function as cytostatic HDAC inhibitors in AR-null prostate cancer cells.

Redox-active Cu(II) complexes are able to form reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of oxygen and reducing agents. Recently, Faller et al. reported that ROS generation by Cu(II) ATCUN complexes is not as high as assumed for decades. High complex stability results in silencing of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycle and therefore leads to low ROS generation. In this work, we demonstrate that an exchange of the ��-amino acid Gly with the ��-amino acid ��-Ala at position 2 (Gly2�����-Ala2) of the ATCUN motif reinstates ROS production (���OH and H2O2). Potentiometry, cyclic voltammetry, EPR spectroscopy and DFT simulations were utilized to explain the increased ROS generation of these ��-Ala2-containing ATCUN complexes. We also observed enhanced oxidative cleavage activity towards plasmid DNA for ��-Ala2 compared to the Gly2 complexes. Modifications with positively charged Lys residues increased the DNA affinity through electrostatic interactions as determined by UV/VIS, fluorescence, and CD spectroscopy, and consequently led to a further increase in nuclease activity. A similar trend was observed regarding the cytotoxic activity of the complexes against several human cancer cell lines where ��-Ala2 peptide complexes had lower IC50 values compared to Gly2. The higher cytotoxicity could be attributed to an increased cellular uptake as determined by ICP-MS measurements.

While most Rh-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes currently investigated in anticancer research contain a Rh(III) metal center, an increasing amount of research is focusing on the cytotoxic activity and mode of action of square-planar [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] (where COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) which contains a Rh(I) center. The enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and the protein albumin have been proposed as potential targets, but the molecular processes taking place upon protein interaction remain elusive. Herein, we report the preparation of peptide-conjugated and its nonconjugated parent [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] complexes, an in-depth investigation of both their stability in solution, and a crystallographic study of protein interaction. The organorhodium compounds showed a rapid loss of the COD ligand and slow loss of the NHC ligand in aqueous solution. These ligand exchange reactions were reflected in studies on the interaction with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) as a model protein in single-crystal X-ray crystallographic investigations. Upon treatment of HEWL with an amino acid functionalized [RhCl(COD)(NHC)] complex, two distinct rhodium adducts were found initially after 7 d of incubation at His15 and after 4 weeks also at Lys33. In both cases, the COD and chlorido ligands had been substituted with aqua and/or hydroxido ligands. While the histidine (His) adduct also indicated a loss of the NHC ligand, the lysine (Lys) adduct retained the NHC core derived from the amino acid l-histidine. In either case, an octahedral coordination environment of the metal center indicates oxidation to Rh(III). This investigation gives the first insight on the interaction of Rh(I)(NHC) complexes and proteins at the molecular level.

Proteomics has played an important role in elucidating the fundamental processes occuring in living cells. Translating these methods to metallodrug research (‘metalloproteomics’) has provided a means for molecular target identification of metal-based anticancer agents which should signifcantly advance the research field. In combination with biological assays, these techniques have enabled the mechanisms of action of metallodrugs to be linked to their interactions with molecular targets and aid understanding of their biological properties. Such investigations have profoundly increased our knowledge of the complex and dynamic nature of metallodrug–biomolecule interactions and have provided, at least for some compound types, a more detailed picture on their specific protein-binding patterns. This perspective highlights the progression of metallodrug proteomics research for the identification of non-DNA targets from standard analytical techniques to powerful metallodrug pull-down methods.

Thiones have been investigated as ligands in metal complexes with catalytic and biological activity. We report the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of a series of MII/III complexes of the general formulae [MII(cym)(L)Cl]X (cym = &eta, 6-p-cymene) or [MIII(Cp*)(L)Cl]X (Cp* = &eta, 5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), where X = Cl&minus, or PF6&minus, and L represents heterocyclic derivatives of thiourea. The thiones feature a benzyl-triazolyl pendant and they act as bidentate ligands via N,S-coordination to the metal centers. Several derivatives have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. NMR investigations showed a counterion-dependent shift of several protons due to the interaction with the counterions. These NMR investigations were complemented with X-ray diffraction analysis data and the effects of different counterions on the secondary coordination sphere were also investigated by DFT calculations. In biological studies, the Ir benzimidazole derivative was found to accumulate in the cytoplasm and it was the most cytotoxic derivative investigated.

Benzoylthiourea derivatives feature several donor atoms capable of coordinating to metal centers. We report here a series of Ru(η6 -p-cymene) complexes employing benzoylthiourea derivatives as ligands. Such ligands often coordinate to metal centers through their S and O donor atoms. We isolated complexes where the ligands were mono- or bidentately coordinated to Ru involving the S donor atom and surprisingly in bidentate coordination mode a deprotonated thiourea nitrogen resulting in a 4-membered ring structure around the metal center. DFT calculations were used to explain the differences in coordination behavior. These were complemented by stability studies and biological investigations of the compounds as anticancer agents. Several of the synthesized derivatives exhibited significant cell growth inhibitory activity, with the complexes featuring bidentate ligands being more potent than their monodentate counterparts. This can be explained by the higher stability of the former under the conditions employed in cell culture assays.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have chemopreventive effects in several cancer types, and the oxicam-based NSAIDs meloxicam and piroxicam exhibit potential to treat cancer. We prepared a series of novel oxicams and coordinated them to RuII(cym)Cl and OsII(cym)Cl moieties (η6-p-cymene = cym). The oxicam ligands acted either as monodentate N-donors or bidentate N,O-chelators, depending upon the ligand structure as well as reaction conditions such as the pH value and solvent used in the reaction. The cytotoxic activity of the complexes toward carcinoma cells was investigated. The isoxazolyl motif-containing ligand 1 and its complexes with RuII(cym)Cl 1a and the Os analogue 1b proved to have anticancer activity with IC50 values in a range similar to that observed for the RuIII investigational drug IT-139, and in general the Os compounds were equally or even slightly more potent than the Ru derivatives. Since meloxicam is known as a selective inhibitor of COX-2, molecular docking studies were carr...

The scientific interest in cadmium (Cd) as a human health damaging agent has significantly increased over the past decades. However, particularly the histological distribution of Cd in human tissues is still scarcely defined. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we determined the concentration of Cd in 40 different human tissues of four body donors and provided spatial information by elemental imaging on the microscopic distribution of Cd in 8 selected tissues by laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS. ICP-MS results show that Cd concentrations differ by a factor of 20 000 between different tissues. Apart from the well know deposits in kidney, bone, and liver, our study provides evidence that muscle and adipose tissue are underestimated Cd pools. For the first time, we present spatially resolved Cd distributions in a broad panel of human soft tissues. The defined histological structures are mirrored by sharp cut differences in Cd concentrations between neighboring tissue types, particularly in the rectum, testis, and kidneys. The spatial resolution of the Cd distribution at microscopic level visualized intratissue hot spots of Cd accumulation and is suggested as a powerful tool to elucidate metal based toxicity at histological level.

Redox-modulating anticancer drugs allow the exploitation of altered redox biology observed in many cancer cells. We discovered dinuclear RhIII(Cp*) and IrIII(Cp*) complexes that have in vitro anticancer activity superior to cisplatin and the investigational drug IT-139, while being less toxic in haemolysis and in vivo zebrafish models. The mode of action appears to be related to DNA damage and ROS-mediated stress pathways.