Cucurbit[n]urils (n=7, 8) binding of camptothecin and the effects on solubility and reactivity of the anticancer drug

The interaction between cucurbit[n]uril (n = 7, 8)(Q[n]) with two forms namely lactone modality and carboxylate modality of anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT) was studied. The results revealed that the combination of Q[n] with the lactone form of CPT was observed by electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and ¹H NMR technique in the acid solution (pH 2) and the total stability constants β were also obtained by Job plot with a host:guest ratio of 2:1; while in the phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4), only Q[8] bound the carboxylate form of CPT in ratio 1:1, but no obvious interaction between Q[7] and the carboxylate form of CPT was observed. The solubility of CPT was enhanced up to about 70 and 8 times at pH 2 due to the formation of interaction complexes with Q[7] and Q[8], respectively, by using phase solubility method. The cytotoxicity tests revealed that compared with the free CPT, the complexes of Q[n] and CPT had the same cytotoxic activity on the human lung cancer cell line A549 and murine macrophage cell line P388D1 and the moderate depressed activity on human leukaemia cell line K562.     

Host–guest complexes of various cucurbit[n]urils with the hydrochloride salt of 2,4-diaminoazobenzene

The interaction products of normal cucurbit[n]urils (n = 7, 8; Q[7] Q[8]) and a sym- tetramethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derivative (TMeQ[6]) with the hydrochloride salts of 2,4-diaminoazobenzene (g·HCl) were investigated in aqueous solution using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis established a basic interaction model in which inclusion complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 form for the TMeQ[6] and Q[7] cases, while they form with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 for the Q[8] case. Commonly, the hosts selectively bound to the phenyl moieties of the guests. Absorption spectrophotometric analysis in aqueous solution defined the stability of the host–guest inclusion complexes at pH 3.2. Quantitatively, at this pH, complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1—those with smaller hosts TMeQ[6] and Q[7]—formed with logK values between 6 and 7. That with host Q[8] and a host:guest ratio of 1:2 formed with a logK value of 10.8. Single crystal X-ray structures of the inclusion complexes TMeQ[6]–g·HCl and Q[8]–g·HCl showed the phenyl moiety of the guest inserted into the host cavity. This result supports the solution-based ¹H NMR spectroscopic study.     

Cucurbit[n]urils-induced room temperature phosphorescence of quinoline derivatives

The cucurbit[7,8]urils (Q[7] and Q[8])-induced room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of quinoline and its derivatives were firstly found in the cucurbit[n]urils chemistry. The luminophores (quinolines) and their RTP are affected by the concentration of different Q[n]s, heavy metal ions and amounts, and pH. The RTP lifetime of the luminophore has been investigated. In presence of Na₂SO₃, the cation Tl⁺ led to stronger Q[n]-induced RTP, while the RTP lifetimes of luminophore/Q[7 or 8]/KI were generally longer than that of luminophore/Q[7 or 8]/TlNO₃, the RTP lifetimes of these systems were between 0.18 and 47.4 ms. Contrary to the stable 1:2 Q[8]:guest ternary inclusion complexes at lower pHs, as suggested by ¹H NMR, electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, low Q[8]-induced room temperature phosphorescence was observed. However, at higher pHs, high intensity of cucurbit[n]urils-induced room temperature phosphorescence of these quinoline derivatives were observed, and a 1:1 Q[8]:guest inclusion complex was formed. Investigations of dependence of RTP intensity on concentration of Q[n] revealed that the highest intensity of the Q[n]-induced RTP was observed at a low mole ratio of host:guest, which is closed to 1:1. It was presumably resulted from the strong interaction of Q[n] and these guests due to the combined hydrophobic cavity interaction and the hydrophilic portal interaction of the cucurbit[n]urils with the nitrogen heterocycles guest.     

Supramolecular assemblies of cucurbit[n]urils and 4-aminopyridine controlled by cucurbit[n]uril size (n = 5, 6, 7 and 8)

The binding interactions between 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and a series of cucurbit[n]urils (Q[5], Q[6], TMeQ[6], Q[7], Q[8]) have been studied using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and X-ray crystallography. The data indicates that the Q[5]@4-AP complex exhibits exo binding, which is not observed in the other four host-guest complexes. Furthermore, X-ray crystallography clearly reveals how the Q[n]s bind with 4-AP to form complexes, for example Q[5] forms an outer-surface complex, whilst Q[6], TMeQ[6] and Q[7] formed 1:1 host and guest type complexes, and Q[8] formed a stable 1:2 ternary complex due to its large cavity, which can accommodate two 4-AP molecules.     

七、八元瓜环对萘二胺异构体相互作用的考察

利用紫外吸收光谱、荧光光谱以及¹H NMR方法考察了七、八元瓜环(Q[7], Q[8])与1,8-萘二胺(g1), 2,3-萘二胺(g2), 1,5-萘二胺(g3)的相互作用. 实验结果表明: Q[7]与客体g1发生端口作用, 作用比为1∶1; Q[7]与客体g2, g3相互作用也形成1∶1的包结配合物. Q[8]与三种客体相互作用情况各不相同, 除Q[8]与客体g2相互作用形成1∶2的包结配合物; Q[8]与客体g1或g3可发生相互作用, 形成溶解性较差的作用产物, 其表观相互作用的比例为1∶1. 考察溶液酸度对主客体相互作用的影响还表明: 当pH大于某一值之后, 如Q[7]主客体体系, pH大于6.0; Q[8]主客体体系, pH大于12.0, 用光谱方法观察不到瓜环与客体的相互作用. Q[7], Q[8]为主体的上述主客体作用产物分别与金刚烷胺盐酸盐、1,10-癸二胺盐酸盐的竞争反应结果表明, 已作用的萘二胺异构体容易被所选用的竞争客体所取代, 只有g2与Q[8]形成的包结配合物被1,10-癸二胺盐酸盐部分取代.     

Host–guest complexes of some cucurbit[n]urils with the hydrochloride salts of some imidazole derivatives

Interaction between the normal cucurbit[n]urils (n = 6,7,8; Q[6], Q[7], Q[8]) and a sym-tetramethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derivative (TMeQ[6]) with the hydrochloride salts of some imidazole derivatives N-(4-hydroxylphenyl)imidazole (g1), N-(4-aminophenyl)imidazole (g2), 2-phenylimidazole (g3) in aqueous solution was investigated by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as by using a single crystal X-ray diffraction determination. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis established a basic interaction model in which inclusion complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 forms for the Q[6]s and Q[7] cases, while with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 form for the Q[8] cases. It was common that the hosts selectively bound the phenyl moiety of the guests. Absorption spectrophotometric and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis in aqueous solution defined the stability of the host–guest inclusion complexes at pH 5.8 with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 form quantitatively as logK values between 4 and 5 for the smaller hosts Q[6 or 7]s, while with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 form quantitatively as logK values between 11 and 12 for the host Q[8]. Two single crystal X-ray structures of the inclusion complexes TMeQ[6]-g2 · HCl and TMeQ[6]-g3 · HCl showed the phenyl moiety of these two guests inserted into the host cavity, which supported particularly the ¹H NMR spectroscopic study in solution.     

A hemicyanine and cucurbit[n]uril inclusion complex: competitive guest binding of cucurbit[7]uril and cucurbit[8]uril

The interaction between the hemicyanine indole derivative H and the cucubit[n]urils Q[7] and Q[8] has been studied using ¹H NMR and UV spectroscopy as well as by fluorescence experiments. Competitive studies on the inclusion of H by Q[7] and Q[8] have also been conducted, and reveal that on changing the size of the Q[n] cavity, the binding behaviour can be very different.     

Interaction of Cucurbit[n = 6∼8]urils and Benzimidazole Derivatives

The structures and optical properties of host–guest complexes produced from cucurbit[n = 6–8]urils and some benzimidazole derivatives have been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The experimental results reveal that calculations of A∼N_Q[n]/N_guest and I_f∼N_Q[n]/N_guest for the same association complex both support a good fit to an identical binding model. In particular, the A∼N_Q[n]/N_guest, I_f∼N_Q[n]/N_guest calculations and the ¹H NMR determinations for three Q[6]–ge(1∼3) complexes and three Q[8]–ge(1∼3) complexes all support a binding model of 1:1 and 1:2 respectively.     

Host–guest interactions of thiabendazole with normal and modified cucurbituril: 1H NMR,phase solubility and antifungal activity studies

Guest–host inclusion complexes between thiabendazole (TBZ) and cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]), symmetrical tetra-methylcucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6]) and meta-hexamethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril (HMeQ[6]) in aqueous solution were investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and phase solubility studies. The antifungal activities of the inclusion complexes were also determined. Analysis of the ¹H NMR spectra revealed that the host Q[7] selectively binds the benzimidazole ring moiety of the guest molecule and that the thiazole ring is encapsulated into the cavities of TMeQ[6] and HMeQ[6]. Phase solubility diagrams were analysed using rigorous procedures to obtain estimates of the complex formation constants for Q[n]-TBZ complexation. The phase solubility studies showed that TBZ solubility increased as a function of Q[7], TMeQ[6] and HMeQ[6] concentrations. We found that complexation of TBZ with Q[n] increased the inhibitory effect of TBZ on the growth of Fusarium graminearum. Our results thus demonstrate that complexation of TBZ with Q[n] could be used to improve the solubility and antifungal activity of TBZ.     

七、八元瓜环对盐酸雷尼替丁的包合作用及缓释性能

研究了七元瓜环(Q[7])和八元瓜环(Q[8])与盐酸雷尼替丁(RH)的包合作用及包合物的体外药物缓释性能.采用紫外-可见光谱法测定了体系的包合比、包合稳定常数和药物累积释放度;用1H NMR技术考察了体系主-客体的包合作用.结果表明,Q[7]和Q[8]与RH在酸性及中性条件下均能发生1∶1包合作用,包合稳定常数分别为1.21×104和2.06×104 L/mol;在碱性条件下则不发生包合作用.原药RH,Q[7]-RH及Q[8]-RH包合物在人工胃液(pH=1.2)中的60 min累积释放度分别为89.1%,56.6%和38.4%;而在人工肠液(pH=6.8)中三者的60 min累积释放度分别为90.2%,58.7%和38.0%.实验结果表明,Q[7]及Q[8]包合对RH有明显的体外缓释作用.     

Influence of self-assembly of amphiphilic imidazolium ionic liquids on their host–guest complexes with cucurbit[n]urils

Two symmetric amphiphilic imidazolium ionic liquids having ω-undecenyl chains form supramolecular complexes with CB[7] and CB[8] in water as revealed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-MS. Binding constants in the range 10⁴ to 10⁵ M^?1 were estimated from the conductivity measurements for the 1:1 complexes of these imidazolium ionic liquids with CB[7] and CB[8]. Radical initiated polymerization of these host–guest complexes at concentrations above the critical self-assembly concentration of imidazolium ionic liquids to form liposomes, destroys completely (CB[7]) or partially (CB[8]) the host–guest ionic liquid@CB[n] complex; this behaviour was proved by titration with acridine orange tricyclic dye, of CB[n]s in the colloidal solutions of the liposomes before and after performing dialysis to remove free CB[n]s. Thus, the increase in the fluorescence emission of acridine orange by CB[7] is not observed if the polymerized ionic liquid@CB[7] complex is submitted to dialysis to remove uncomplexed CB[7]. Analogous study by titration of absorbance change of acridine orange solutions caused by CB[8], reveals only a partial destruction of the host–guest complex by self-assembly of amphiphilic ionic liquid above the critical self-assembly concentration. The results obtained have been rationalized considering that the driving force for the formation of supramolecular ionic liquid@CB[n] complexes is a hydrophobic interaction between the apolar alkenyl chain and the cucurbituril interior cavity and that these hydrophobic interactions are disturbed when self-assembly leading to liposomes occurs.     

Comparative macrocycle binding of the anticancer drug phenanthriplatin by cucurbit[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]urils, β-cyclodextrin and <Emphasis Type="Italic">para</Emphasis>-sulfonatocalix[4]arene: a <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR and molecular modelling study

The potential anticancer drug phenanthriplatin, [cis-(NH₃)₂(phenanthridine)Cl]⁺, forms supramolecular complexes with cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n], n?=?7 or 8), β-cyclodextrin and para-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (sCX[4]) as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The results show that cucurbit[7]uril binds over the long arm of the drug, where hydrophobic effects and two hydrogen bonds stabilise binding. For cucurbit[8]uril, two phenanthriplatin molecules can bind simultaneously within the macrocycle’s cavity. Unfortunately, Na⁺ was able to displace the drug from both CB[7] and CB[8] making the macrocycles unsuitable as delivery vehicles for phenanthriplatin. Drug binding to β-cyclodextrin occurs at the portal of the macrocycle with no part of the phenanthriplatin located within the cavity. Phenanthriplatin binding to sCX[4] occurs in a 2-to-1, macrocycle-to-drug, ratio with the formation of a capsule-like complex where each sCX[4] binds over opposing ends of the drug. The results indicate that para-sulfonatocalix[4]arene is the only suitable macrocycle of the four studied for further research into phenanthriplatin drug delivery.     

Evaluation and solubility improvement of Carvedilol: PSC[n]arene inclusion complexes with acute oral toxicity studies

The aqua phobic molecules that are practically insoluble in aqueous media demonstrate a staggeringly slow intrinsic dissolution rate. In this work, we exemplify the utility of calixarenes as a tool to form inclusion complexes with Carvedilol (CDL). It is poorly water soluble drug. CDL is a Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Class II drug and it is a nonselective β-adrenegenic blocking agent with α1-blocking activity. It is mainly used in the management of hypertension. The maximum complexation of the drug was accomplished after 48?h of stirring with para sulphonato calix[4]arene (PSC[4]arene) and para sulphonato calix[6]arene (PSC[6]arene) in water and evaporation of water to acquire solid complexes. The study includes characterisation of both the complexes—physical mixtures of drug and PSC[4]arene and PSC[6]arenes by different methods like Fourier-transform infra red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance. This studies shows that there is electrostatic interaction between drug and PSC[n]arenes. The complexation was determined by phase solubility study. The prepared complexes exhibited improved in vitro dissolution profile and decreased in vivo acute oral toxicity compared to the pure drug.     

Supramolecular interaction of cucurbit[n]urils and coptisine by spectrofluorimetry and its analytical application

The supramolecular interaction of a homologous series of cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n], n = 5, 6, 7, 8) hosts and coptisine (COP) was studied by spectrofluorimetry. All of the CB[n]s were found to react with COP to form 1:1 host-guest stable complexes and the fluorescence intensity of the complexes was greatly enhanced. The apparent association constants of the complexes were 1.44 × 10⁴, 1.28 × 10⁴, 1.86 × 10⁴ and 1.26 × 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ for CB[5], CB[6], CB[7] and CB[8], respectively. In addition, CB[5] and CB[7] exhibited a higher fluorescence signal than CB[6] and CB[8]. The fluorescence intensity of the complex with CB[7] was enhanced 70-fold compared to that of the studied drug itself. Based on the significant enhancement of fluorescence intensity of supramolecular complex, a simple, rapid, highly sensitive, and selective spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of COP in aqueous solution in the presence of CB[7]. At the optimum reaction conditions, a linear relationship was obtained in the range from 0.05 to 1700 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.012 ng mL⁻¹. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of the drug in urine and serum samples.     

Interaction between cucurbit[8]uril and viologen derivatives

The interaction between cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) and a series of symmetric viologen derivatives having aliphatic substituents of variable length [N,N′-dialkyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dianions; alkyl = CH₃(CH₂) _n –, n = 0 (MV²⁺), 1 (EV²⁺), 2 (PV²⁺), 3 (BV²⁺), 4 (FV²⁺), 5 (HV²⁺) or 6 (SV²⁺); BPY²⁺ = diprotonated 4,4-bipyridine], determined by ¹H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy methods, is described. Some different binding models were observed in this work when compared to the interactions between cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) and these guests. The experimental results revealed that the binding site of the guests by Q[8] depended strongly on the length of the aliphatic substituents on the 4,4′-bipyridinium nucleus. While a 1:2 complex was observed for Q[8]-BPY²⁺ under acidic conditions, a 1:1 complex was formed for Q[8]-viologen derivatives with chains shorter than four carbon atoms. However, multiple Q[8] molecules could be threaded on the longer-chain FV²⁺, HV²⁺ or SV²⁺ molecules to form 2:1 and even possibly 3:1 complexes.     

Host–guest interactions of 6-benzyladenine with normal and modified cucurbituril: 1H NMR,UV absorption spectroscopy and phase solubility methods

Guest–host inclusion complexes between 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]), symmetrical tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6]) and meta-hexamethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril (HMeQ[6]) in aqueous solution were investigated by ¹H NMR, UV absorption spectroscopy and phase solubility studies. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis revealed that the hosts selectively bound the phenyl moiety of the guests. Absorption spectroscopic analysis defined the stability of the host–guest inclusion complexes. A host:guest ratio of 1:1 was measured quantitatively as (5.63 ± 0.26) × 10⁴, (1.94 ± 0.17) × 10³ and (2.89 ± 0.23) × 10³ mol L^? 1 for the Q[7]-6-BA, TMeQ[6]-6-BA and HMeQ[6]-6-BA systems, respectively. Phase solubility diagrams were analysed through rigorous procedures to obtain estimates of the complex formation constants for Q[n]-6-BA complexation. The formation constants were (1.29 ± 0.24) × 10⁴ L mol^? 1 for Q[7]-6-BA, (3.20 ± 0.17) × 10³ L mol^? 1 for TMeQ[6]-6-BA and (3.52 ± 1.01) × 10³ L mol^? 1 for TMeQ[6]-6-BA. Furthermore, phase solubility studies showed that 6-BA solubility increased as a function of Q[7], TMeQ[6] and HMeQ[6] concentrations. The thermodynamic parameters of the complex formation were also determined. The formation of inclusion complexes between 6-BA and Q[7] was enthalpy controlled, suggesting that hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions were the main driving forces. Our results demonstrated that the complexation of 6-BA with Q[n] could be used to improve the solubility of 6-BA.     

Encapsulation of adefovir bis(l-leucine propyl)ester pro-virucide in cucurbit[7]uril and its activity against tobacco mosaic virus

The interaction of cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) with a pro-virucide, adefovir bis(l-leucine propyl)ester (PMEA-Leu) in aqueous solutions and in solid state was studied by ¹H NMR, UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence and IR spectroscopy. The ¹H NMR revealed that the leucine propyl moiety of the compound could be entrapped in the cavity of the host Q[7], and the other moiety except for leucine propyl moieties, including aminopurine, was probably located at the portal area of Q[7]. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy proved that the interaction of Q[7] with PMEA-Leu led to the formation of host–guest inclusion complexes (2:1) that were controlled by the concentration of the host Q[7]. Formation of the inclusion complex between Q[7] and PMEA-Leu was confirmed by IR spectroscopy in solid state. In addition, deliquescent stability studies indicated that the moisture stability of the host–guest complex was significantly enhanced. The phenomenon was explained by the fact that the formation of solid inclusion complexes can prevent the compounds from absorbing water. Finally, bioactivity of PMEA-Leu and its inclusion complex against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was tested. The compound PMEA-Leu and its inclusion complexes showed some inhibitory activity against TMV at 500 μg/ml in vivo.     

Voltammetric studies of the interaction of 6-mercaptopurine with cucurbit[7]uril and DNA

The interaction of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), an antitumor drug, with cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) and DNA in an acetate buffer solution was studied by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry(CV). The electrochemical data indicated a 1:1 complex formation of 6-MP with Q[7] and DNA. The formation constants of these complexes were determined based on the variations in the current. Moreover, the interactions of the 6-MP-Q[7] inclusion complex with DNA have been investigated by means of voltammetry. The results suggested that 6-MP displayed a high affinity for Q[7] and that the inclusion complex did not decompose when it bound to DNA. It can be inferred from the experimental data that the binding model of 6-MP to DNA may be ??electrostatic binding??. In addition, the formation of inclusion complexes between Q[7] and 6-MP was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the ¹H NMR technique.     

A Study of the Interaction Between Cucurbit[8]uril and Alkyl‐Substituted 4‐Pyrrolidinopyridinium Salts

The interaction between cucuribit[8]uril (Q[8]) and a series of 4‐pyrrolidinopyridinium salts bearing aliphatic substituents at the pyridinium nitrogen, namely 4‐(C₄H₈N)C₅H₅NRBr, where R=Et (g1), n‐butyl (g2), n‐pentyl (g3), n‐hexyl (g4), n‐octyl (g5), n‐dodecyl (g6), has been studied in aqueous solution by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and mass spectrometry. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed the structure of the host–guest complexes for g1, g2, g3, and g5. In each case, the Q[8] contains two guest molecules in a centrosymmetric dimer. The orientation of the guest molecule changes as the alkyl chain increases in length. Interestingly, in the solid state, the inclusion complexes identified are different from those observed in solution, and furthermore, in the case of g3, Q[8] exhibits two different interactions with the guest. In solution, the length of the alkyl chain plays a significant role in determining the type of host–guest interaction present.     

A novel pillar[5]arene-cucurbit[10]uril based host-guest complex: Synthesis,characterization and detection of paraquat

The macrocyclic family comprising pillar[n]arenes and cucurbit[n]urils have received much attention recently. However, studies on the construction of supramolecular complexes formed directly with derivatized pillar[n]arenes and cucurbit[n]urils are scant. Given the interest in such systems, herein we have synthesized a new type of naphthalene-derivatized pillar[n]arene NTP5 and selected Q[10] as the host molecule. The 4-[2-(1-naphthalenyl)ethenyl]pyridine of NTP5 is encapsulated by Q[10] and formed a host-guest complex in water-acetic acid (1:1) solution accompanied by enhanced fluorescence, which changed the morphology of NTP5 from a sphere to a porous form. In addition, the fluorescence of Q[10]-NTP5 can be quenched by the addition of the highly toxic pesticide paraquat (PQ), and the mechanism was shown to be the formation of a new charge transfer ternary system of Q[10]-NTP5-PQ. This work provides new ideas for the contribution of supramolecular assemblies based on derivatized pillar[n]arenes and their combination with cucurbit[n]urils and reveals their potential applications.