L‐argininato copper(II) complexes in solution exert significant selective anticancer and antimicrobial activities

Abstract

A search for new drugs that overcome the multidrug resistance of microorganisms or are effective against cancer cells prompted us to investigate the binary and ternary Cu(II) complexes containing L-arginine, [CuCl(L-Arg)(phen)] Cl•2H 2 O (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) (1) and [Cu(L-Arg) 2 (H 2 O)]C 2 O 4 •6H 2 O (2), for which crystal and molecular structures were characterized previously. In order to discuss the biological function, the complexes have been screened for their antitumor activity against A549 (human lung cancer cells), HepG2 (human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells) and antimicrobial activity. To identify the complexes forms existing in the solutions of 1 and 2 crystals, the results obtained from EPR, NIR-Vis-UV and MS (mass spectrometry) measurements were correlated with those from analysis of potentiometric titration of Cu(II)-L-Arg and Cu(II)-L-Arg-phen systems. This comprehensive study indicated that the [Cu(L-Arg)(phen)] 2+ and [Cu(L-Arg) 2 ] 2+ species are dominant in the solution. Complexes 1 and 2 were found to present specific liganddependent cytotoxic and antiproliferative potential against cancer cells. They also show antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as display antifungal properties.

NSAID-Based Coordination Compounds for Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Developments

“…Cisplatin can bind to the purine bases of DNA and is able to cause DNA damage that, in turn, can cause cancer cell apoptosis [ 3 ]. However, some adverse side effects, such as toxicity, allergy, gastrointestinal disorders and kidney problems, plus the lack of selectivity and acquired resistance to this compound [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], led investigators to explore more selective and less toxic substituents. During this endeavor, in the past few years a large number of new metal complexes have been synthetized.…”

Recent Studies on the Antimicrobial Activity of Copper Complexes

“…The idea of introducing natural origin structural groups with known biological activity into the complex is very productive. Antimicrobial activity of copper arginate complexes 14a, 14b was confirmed [27]. These coordination compounds contain L-argi-nine (HL 14 ) as a co-ligand.…”

“…N,O-DONOR LIGANDS Publication [27] is one of works by Polish researchers devoted to study the structure and biological activity of copper complexes containing amino acids as ligands. The idea of introducing natural origin structural groups with known biological activity into the complex is very productive.…”

“…A series of nanometer-sized spherical sulfonamide imine ligands HL 23 -HL 27 and their copper and zinc complexes were synthesized and fully characterized [34]. The composition of copper complexes 23-27 corresponds to the general formula [Cu(L)(OAc)]• nH 2 O.…”

The Bright and Dark Sides of Reactive Oxygen Species Generated by Copper–Peptide Complexes

“…This phenomenon suggested that these compounds may act as prodrugs having significant potential towards various cancer cell types [111]. Among the copper(II) complexes, a group with L−arginine (L−Arg; [Cu(L−Arg)2](NO3)2 and [Cu(L−Arg)(B)Cl]Cl⋅2.5H2O complexes (B = heterocyclic base)) was a remarkable idea for potential anticancer drugs [112,113]. Moreover, these compounds exhibited interesting It was proven that some of these inorganic compounds are able to interact with deoxyribonucleic acid molecules by releasing their ligands, leading to Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox processes that initiate the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo, especially hydroxyl radicals [110,111].…”