Preliminary toxicological studies of selected water‐soluble polymer–platinum conjugates

The objective of this preliminary investigation of a number of water‐soluble carrier‐bound platinum(II) complexes for potential use in cancer chemotherapy was to assess the toxicological behavior of representative platinum coordination compounds anchored to, or incorporated into, polymeric carriers via polymer‐attached amine ligands. The conjugates included linear polyaspartamides (1–4, 6, 7), each composed of a major fraction of subunits featuring side‐chain‐attached tertiary amino groups as water‐solubilizing entities, and a minor fraction of subunits comprising the anchored platinum complexes, again as side‐chain components. Whereas in 1–4 the platinum atom was polymer‐bound through a single amino group, both 6 and 7 contained polymer‐attached cis‐diamine‐chelating ligands coordinating to the metal center. Also included in this study was a linear polyamidoamine (5), which contained a poly(ethylene oxide) segment in the backbone in addition to intrachain ethylenediamine segments acting as cis‐diamine chelating ligands for coordination to the platinum center. The compounds were injected as aqueous (phosphate‐buffered saline) solutions into the tail veins of CD‐1 mice (four to eight mice per conjugate), and the maximally tolerated dose was determined for each compound. For polyaspartamides 1–4 the dose levels ranged from about 25 mg Pt (kg body weight⁻¹) (in conjugate 4) to 500 mg Pt kg⁻¹ (in compound 1), the latter conjugate proving some 100‐fold less toxic than cisplatin (3–4 mg Pt kg⁻¹), which was included in this study for comparison. Low toxicity (tolerated dose 160 mg Pt kg⁻¹) was also observed for the intrachain cis‐diamineplatinum complex polymer (5). The polyaspartamide conjugates 6 and 7, on the other hand, both characterized by a cis‐diamineplatinum complex system in the side chain, were toxic even below the dose level of 20–25 mg Pt kg⁻¹. The preliminary findings of this study, while providing a basis for more extensive and broad‐based toxicological studies, will serve to direct and optimize structural conjugate designs in forthcoming synthetic programs. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

HPLC Method for the Determination of the Purity of K[Pt(NH3)Cl3], a Precursor of the Platinum Complexes with Cytostatic Activity

K[Pt(NH₃)Cl₃], a valuable precursor for the preparation of platinum complexes with cytostatic activity, e.g. satraplatin, picoplatin, LA-12 and cycloplatam, is currently prepared from cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂] or K₂[PtCl₄] and these are the usual impurities in the final product. A simple, selective and sensitive HPLC-UV analytical method for the determination of the purity of K[Pt(NH₃)Cl₃] and the quantification of the impurities has been developed and validated. The platinum complexes present in the final product were separated on a strong base ion exchange column by the gradient elution with detection at 213 nm. Intra-assay precisions for the platinum complexes respective to their ions ([PtCl₄]^2?, [Pt(NH₃)Cl₃]^? and cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂]) were between 0.1 and 2.0% (relative standard deviation); intermediate precisions were between 1.4 and 2.0% and accuracies were between 98.6 and 101.4%. Limits of detection of [PtCl₄]^2?, [Pt(NH₃)Cl₃]^? and cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂] were 6 µg · ml^?1, 13 mg · ml^?1 and 5 µg · ml^?1 respectively, limits of quantification of [PtCl₄]^2?, [Pt(NH₃)Cl₃]^? and cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂] were 51 µg · ml^?1, 55 mg · ml^?1 and 20 µg · ml^?1 respectively.     

Antineoplastic activity of polyaspartamide–ferrocene conjugates

The ferrocene/ferricenium redox system plays a significant role in biological oxidation, reduction and free-radical reactions. Of particular interest are the findings of earlier investigations which showed certain water-soluble ferricenium salts to possess appreciable antiproliferative activity against various murine tumor lines and a xenografted human colorectal adenocarcinoma. Solubility in water, a prerequisite for efficacious transport and dissipation in central circulation, was then proposed as a principal requirement for the ferrocene complex system to exert antineoplastic activity irrespective of the oxidation state in which it is administered. In order to shed more light on this question, we decided to investigate the antiproliferative properties of polymer–ferrocene conjugates containing the metal complex in the non-oxidized (ferrocene) form while fulfilling the critical requirement of water solubility. To this end, five selected, water-soluble conjugates, synthesized by reversible coupling of 4-ferrocenylbutanoic acid to variously structured polyaspartamides featuring pendant primary amino groups as coupling sites, were tested in vitro against cultured HeLa cells at concentrations up to 50 µg Fe ml⁻¹. Optimal antiproliferative activities, with IC₅₀ in the range of 2–7 µg Fe ml⁻¹, were determined for three compounds possessing tertiary-amine functions susceptible to protonation at physiological pH. Lower activities (IC₅₀ = 45–60 µg Fe ml⁻¹) were demonstrated for two poly(ethylene oxide)-containing conjugates. However, no reasonable structure–performance relationships can be derived at this stage from the small number of compounds tested. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

N‐(Substituted benzyl)‐3,5‐bis(benzylidene)‐4‐piperidones: Synthesis and Preliminary Anti‐leukemia Activity (I)

A series of novel N‐(substituted benzyl)‐3,5‐bis(benzylidene)‐4‐piperidones 5a – 5o were synthesized with substituted benzylamines as raw materials via a series of Michael addition, Dieckmann condensation, hydrolysis decarboxylation and aldol condensation. The structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, IR, MS techniques and elemental analysis. Assay‐based antiproliferative activity study using leukemic cell lines K562 revealed that most of the title compounds have high effectiveness in inhibiting leukemia K562 cells proliferation, among which the compounds 5g (IC₅₀=7.81 µg·mL⁻¹), 5k (IC₅₀=6.35 µg·mL⁻¹), 5l (IC₅₀=7.20 µg·mL⁻¹), and 5o (IC₅₀=5.79 µg·mL⁻¹) have better inhibition activities than standard 5‐fluorouracil (IC₅₀=8.56 µg·mL⁻¹).     

Water Soluble Antioxidant Dextran–Quercetin Conjugate with Potential Anticancer Properties

Quercetin, a naturally occurring potent antioxidant, is limited in therapeutic use, owing to its poor water solubility and stability. Herein, a method of conjugating quercetin to an aldehyde functionalized dextran via an HCl catalyzed condensation reaction to yield a water soluble quercetin functionalized polymer is reported. The prepared conjugate is characterized by ¹H and ¹H‐¹³C heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) NMR, which demonstrate that conjugation occurs via both the A‐ and B‐rings of quercetin. The degree of quercetin functionalization can be tuned by varying the reaction temperature and/or the concentration of the HCl catalyst. However, as temperatures and HCl concentrations are increased above 40 °C and 2 m , respectively, the increase in functionalization is accompanied by an increase in the oxidation of the conjugated quercetin and a decrease in polymer yield. The prepared conjugate is shown to have improved stability compared with native quercetin while maintaining substantial free‐radical scavenging activity. Anticancer activity is evaluated in vitro in a neuroblastoma cell line. The dextran–aldehyde–quercetin conjugate prepared at 40 °C and 2 m HCl is shown to be cytotoxic to neuroblastoma cells (SH‐SY5Y–IC₅₀ = 123 µg mL⁻¹ and BE(2)‐C–IC₅₀ = 380 µg mL⁻¹) but shows no activity against nonmalignant MRC‐5 cells at concentrations up to 400 µg mL⁻¹.     

Synthesis,structure and in vitro cytotoxicity of platinum(II) complexes containing eugenol and a quinolin‐8‐ol‐derived chelator

The synthesis of potassium (η²‐4‐allyl‐2‐methoxyphenol)trichloridoplatinate(II), K[PtCl₃(C₁₀H₁₂O₂)], ( 1 ), starting from Zeise's salt and Ocimum sanctum L. oil has been optimized. Starting from ( 1 ), three new platinum(II) complexes, namely (η²‐4‐allyl‐2‐methoxyphenol)chlorido(2‐methylquinolin‐8‐olato‐κ²N ,O )platinum(II), ( 2 ), (η²‐4‐allyl‐2‐methoxyphenol)chlorido(5‐nitroquinolin‐8‐olato‐κ²N ,O )platinum(II), ( 3 ), and (η²‐4‐allyl‐2‐methoxyphenol)chlorido(5,7‐dichloroquinolin‐8‐olato‐κ²N ,O )platinum(II), [Pt(C₉H₄Cl₂NO)Cl(C₁₀H₁₂O₂)], ( 4 ), containing eugenol and a quinolin‐8‐ol derivative (R‐OQ), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, MS, IR, ¹H NMR and NOESY spectra. For ( 1 ) and ( 4 ), single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies were also carried out. Complexes ( 2 )–( 4 ) show good inhibiting abilities on three human cancer cell lines, i.e. KB, Hep‐G2 and LU, with IC₅₀ values of 1.42–17.8 µM . Complex ( 3 ) gives an impressively high activity against KB, Hep‐G2, LU and MCF‐7, with IC₅₀ values of 1.42–4.91 µM , which are much lower than those of cisplatin and some other platinum(II) complexes.     

DNA binding and in vitro antileukemic activity of dimeric and tetrameric platinated complexes derived from p-isopropylbenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

p-Isopropylbenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (p-is.TSCN) ( 1 ) reacts with [Pt(µ-Cl)(η³-C₄H₇)]₂ to form a dinuclear [Pt(µ-Cl)(p-is.TSCN)]₂ complex ( 2 ) and a cyclometallated cluster [Pt(p-is.TSCN)]₄ ( 3 ). Biological testing of these complexes against HL-60 and U-937 human leukemic cells suggest that complexes 2 and 3 may be endowed with important cytotoxic activity properties since they exhibit IC₅₀ values (50% inhibition of cell growth) in the micromolar range, as does the clinically used drug cisplatin (cis-DDP). Analysis of the interaction of compounds 2 and 3 with DNA indicates that the kinetics of DNA platination due to compounds 2 and 3 is faster than that of cisplatin and that after 24 h of incubation most of the platinum centers are bound to DNA. Thus, it is likely that the cytotoxic activity displayed by compounds 2 and 3 may be correlated with their high level of DNA platination. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,spectral investigation and development of tetrahedral copper(II) complexes as artificial metallonucleases and antimalarial agents

Seven new copper(II) complexes of type [Cu(A)(L)]?H₂O (A = sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, pefloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin; L = 5‐[(3‐chlorophenyl)diazenyl]‐4‐hydroxy‐1,3‐thiazole‐2(3H)‐thione) were synthesized and characterized using elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and electronic, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Fourier transform infrared and liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopies. Tetrahedral geometry around copper is assigned in all complexes using EPR and electronic spectral analyses. All complexes were investigated for their interaction with herring sperm DNA utilizing absorption titration (K_b = 1.27–3.13 × 10⁵ M^?1) and hydrodynamic volume measurement studies. The studies suggest the classical intercalative mode of DNA binding. The cleavage reaction on pUC19 DNA was monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that the Cu(II) complexes can more effectively promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA. The superoxide dismutase mimic activity of the complexes was evaluated by nitroblue tetrazolium assay, and the complexes catalysed the dismutation of superoxide at pH = 7.8 with IC₅₀ values in the range 0.597–0.900 μM. The complexes were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against five pathogenic bacteria. All the complexes are good cytotoxic agents and show LC₅₀ values ranging from 5.559 to 11.912 µg ml^?1. All newly synthesized Cu(II) complexes were also evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strain (IC₅₀ = 0.62–2.0 µg ml^?1). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cis–trans isomerism in a square‐planar platinum(II) complex bearing bulky fluorinated phosphane ligands

Transition‐metal complexes bearing fluorinated phosphane and thiolate ligands has been an area of study in recent years and the chemical context of the current work is related to the metal‐assisted functionalization of fluorinated derivatives. The cis and trans isomers of the square‐planar complex bis[(pentafluorophenyl)diphenylphosphane‐κP]bis(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzenethiolato‐κS)platinum(II), [Pt(C₆HF₄S)₂{P(C₆H₅)₂(C₆F₅)}₂], have been crystallized from a single chromatographic fraction and characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The stabilization of the cis isomer results from weak intramolecular π‐stacking interactions and possibly from the formation of a C—F…Pt contact, characterized by an F…Pt separation of 2.957 (6) Å. The natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) for this isomer confirms that the corresponding F → Pt charge transfer accounts for 6.92 kcal mol⁻¹ in the isomer stabilization. Such interactions are not present in the centrosymmetric trans isomer.     

Poly(amidoamine) Conjugates Containing Doxorubicin Bound via an Acid‐Sensitive Linker

Poly(amidoamine)s with amino pendant groups were prepared by hydrogen‐transfer polyaddition of primary and secondary amines to bis‐acrylamines. Dansyl cadaverine (DC) doxorubicin (Dox) were bound to the polymers via a cis‐aconityl spacer to give conjugates containing 3 µg of DC per mg of polymer and 28 to 35 µg of Dox per mg of polymer. Release of DC and Dox at physiological and acidic pH varied from 0 to 35% over 48 h and was pH dependent. Although the ISA1Dox conjugate (IC₅₀ = 6 µg Dox · mL^?1) presented similar toxicity as the parent polymer without Dox, ISA23Dox showed increased toxicity (IC₅₀ = 10 µg Dox · mL^?1). These results suggest that ISA23Dox is able to release biologically active Dox in vitro and that this conjugate might be suitable for further development.

     

Synthetic and antimicrobial studies on new gold(I) complexes of imidazolidin‐2‐ylidenes

Six new 1,3‐diorganylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene (NHC) gold(I) complexes of the type [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ (1–6), were synthesized by reacting [AuCl(PPh)₃] with 1,3‐dimesitylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene or bis(1,3‐dialkylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene). The complexes 1–6 were fully characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic data. The placement of mesityl or para‐substituted benzyl groups on the nitrogen atoms of the ring of the complexes leads to the particularly active antibacterial agents evaluated in this work. It is worth noting that the p‐methoxybenzyl derivative (2) inhibited the growth of Pseudomona aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 3.12 µg ml^?1, 6.25 µg ml^?1, 3.12 µg ml^?1 and 3.12 µg ml^?1 respectively. In contrast, the analogous p‐dimethylaminobenzyl derivative (3) is effective only against Escherichia coli (MIC = 3.12 µg ml^?1). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acetate platinum(II) compound with 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine that overcomes cisplatin resistance: structural characterization,in vitro cytotoxicity,and kinetic studies

The reaction of silver acetate with cis-[PtI₂(dbtp)₂], where dbtp = 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine, yielded cis-[Pt(OOCCH₃)₂(dbtp)₂]·dmf (1). The complex has been analyzed by multinuclear magnetic resonance (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N), IR, and Raman. The compound formed two rotamers in CDCl₃ and its spatial structures have been optimized using computational calculation. It was found that head-to-tail rotamer (1a) is more stable than its head-to-head counterpart (1b). In vitro antiproliferative activity against four tumor cell lines (A549, T47D, FaDu, and A2780cis) revealed in all cases significant cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 0.26–1.80 μM), possessing IC₅₀ values at least fivefold lower than cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin (except A2780cis). The remarkable in vitro activity against T47D and A2780cis suggested the ability to overcome cisplatin resistance in these types of tumor cells. In addition, in vitro toxicity was evaluated against BALB/3T3 and has shown that the lipophilic platinum(II) complex (1) inhibits cell proliferation weaker than cisplatin and oxaliplatin. Additionally, cis-[Pt(OOCCH₃)₂(dbtp)₂]·dmf exhibited selective activity, in contrast to cisplatin or oxaliplatin.     

Platinum complexes of oxopurines: cis‐bis(theophyllinato‐N7)bis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(II) and cis‐chloro(theobrominato‐N1)bis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(II) ethanol hemisolvate

The syntheses and structures of two mixed‐ligand complexes of platinum(II) with deprotonated oxopurine bases and tri­phenyl­phosphine are reported, namely the theophyllinate complex cis‐bis(1,2,3,6‐tetra­hydro‐1,3‐di­methyl­purine‐2,6‐dionato‐κN⁷)­bis(tri­phenyl­phosphine‐κP)­platinum(II), [Pt(C₇H₇N₄O₂)₂(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], (I), and the theobrominate complex cis‐chloro(1,2,3,6‐tetrahydro‐3,7‐dimethylpurine‐2,6‐dionato‐κN¹)­bis(tri­phenyl­phosphine‐κP)­platinum(II) ethanol hemisolvate, [PtCl(C₇H₇N₄O₂)(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂]·0.5C₂H₅OH, (II). In (I), the coordination geometry of Pt is square planar, formed by the two coordinating N atoms of the theophyl­linate anions in a cis arrangement and two P atoms from the tri­phenyl­phosphine groups. In (II), there are two crystallographically independent mol­ecules. They both exhibit a square‐planar coordination geometry around Pt involving one Cl atom, the coordinating N atom of the theobrominate anion and two P atoms from the tri­phenyl­phosphine groups. The two tri­phenyl­phosphine groups are arranged in a cis configuration in both structures. The heterocyclic rings are rotated with respect to the coordination plane of the metal by 82.99 (8) and 88.09 (8)° in complex (I), and by 85.91 (16) and 88.14 (18)° in complex (II). Both structures are stabilized by intramolecular stacking interactions involving the purine rings and the phenyl rings of adjacent tri­phenyl­phosphine moieties.     

Assignment of the E,Z configurational isomers of platinum complexes of N,N‐dialkyl‐N′‐acyl(aroyl)thioureas by means of triple resonance 1H/13C/195Pt PFG correlation NMR spectroscopy

Unsymmetrical, dialkyl‐substituted N,N‐dialkyl‐N^′‐acyl(aroyl)thioureas show E,Z configurational isomerism at room temperature in solution, which is also expressed in the existence of cis‐[Pt(ZZ‐L‐S,O)₂], cis‐[Pt(EZ‐L‐S,O)₂] and cis‐[Pt(EE‐L‐S,O)₂] complexes derived from these ligands. These configurational isomers were assigned by means of a double magnetization transfer ¹H/¹³C/¹⁹⁵Pt correlation NMR experiment, despite the fact that the long‐range ⁵J(¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹H) and ⁴J(¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹³C) scalar couplings are not directly observable in their ¹H and ¹³C spectra at high field. Depending on the ligand structure, the relative amounts of cis‐[Pt(ZZ‐L‐S,O)₂], cis‐[Pt(EZ‐L‐S,O)₂] and cis‐[Pt(EE‐L‐S,O)₂] complexes are in the ranges 40–42% ZZ, 46–47% ZE and 12–13% EE. The cis‐bis[N‐methyl‐N‐(tert‐butyl)‐N^′‐(2,2‐dimethylpropanoyl)thioureato]platinum(II) complex is found to occur exclusively as the ZZ isomer. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pt(II) complexes immobilized on polymer‐modified magnetic carbon nanotubes as a new platinum drug delivery system

We combine nanotechnology and chemical synthesis to create a novel multifunctional platinum drug delivery vehicle based on magnetic carbon nanotubes (multiwall carbon nanotubes/Fe₃O₄@poly(citric acid)/cis‐[(Pt(1,7‐phenanthroline)(DMSO)Cl₂)]‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol) (MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG)) for targeted cancer therapy. MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG was conveniently prepared by conjugating cis‐[Pt(1,7‐phenanthroline)(DMSO)Cl₂] complex to MCNTs/FO@PC‐b‐PEG via strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions. In comparison with free cisplatin and Pt(II) complex, MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG shows higher solubility in aqueous solution and higher cytotoxicity towards human cervical cancer HeLa cells and human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells. In vitro release experiments revealed that the platinum drug‐loaded delivery system is relatively stable under physiological conditions (pH = 7.4 and 37 °C) but susceptible to acidic environments (pH = 5.6 and 37 °C) which would trigger the release of loaded drugs. Fluorescence microscopy studies revealed that this magnetic nanohybrid system possesses marked cell‐specific targeting in vitro in the presence of an external magnetic field. The results indicated that the prepared superparamagnetic MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG nanohybrid system is a promising candidate for inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells.     

Interactions with herring sperm DNA and biological studies of sparfloxacin drug‐based copper(II) compounds

Copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(SPF)(Lⁿ)Cl] (where SPF is sparfloxacin and Lⁿ = substituted terpyridines) were synthesized and found to have a distorted octahedral geometry. Superoxide dismutase‐like activity of the complexes was measured using a nitroblue tetrazolium/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/phenazine methosulfate system and expressed in terms of the concentration of complex which terminates the formation of formazan by 50% (IC₅₀ value), which was found to range from 0.572 to 1.522 µm . Interactions of the complexes with herring sperm DNA were studied by absorption titration, viscosity measurement and gel electrophoresis under physiological conditions. The antimicrobial efficiency of the complexes was tested against five different microorganisms and showed good biological activity. All the complexes showed good cytotoxic activity, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 4.01 to 9.64 µg ml^?1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gold(III) Complexes of Asymmetrically Aryl‐Substituted 1,2‐Dithiolene Ligands Featuring Potential‐Controlled Spectroscopic Properties: An Insight into the Electronic Properties of bis(Pyren‐1‐yl‐ethylene‐1,2‐dithiolato)Gold(III)

The electrochemical, UV/Vis–NIR absorption, and emission‐spectroscopic features of (TBA⁺)( 1 ⁻) and the corresponding neutral complex 1 were investigated (TBA⁺=tetrabutylammonium; 1 ⁻=[Au^III(Pyr,H‐edt)₂]⁻; Pyr,H‐edt²⁻=pyren‐1‐yl‐ethylene‐1,2‐dithiolato). The intense electrochromic NIR absorption (λ_max=1432 nm; ε=13000 M ⁻¹ cm⁻¹ in CH₂Cl₂) and the potential‐controlled visible emission in the range 400–500 nm, the energy of which depends on the charge of the complex, were interpreted on the grounds of time‐dependent DFT calculations carried out on the cis and trans isomers of 1 , 1 ⁻, and 1 ²⁻. In addition, to evaluate the nonlinear optical properties of 1 ^x− (x=0, 1), first static hyperpolarizability values β_tot were calculated (β_tot=78×10⁻³⁰ and 212×10⁻³⁰ esu for the cis isomer of 1 ⁻ and 1 , respectively) and compared to those of differently substituted [Au(Ar,H‐edt)₂]^x− gold dithiolenes [Ar=naphth‐2‐yl ( 2 ), phenyl ( 3 ); x=0, 1].     

Flow‐Injection Spectrophotometric Determination of N‐acetylcysteine in Pharmaceutical Formulations with On‐Line Solid‐Phase Reactor Containing Zn(II) Phosphate Immobilized in a Polyester Resin

Abstract

A flow‐injection spectrophotometric procedure was developed for determining N‐acetylcysteine in pharmaceutical formulations. The sample was dissolved in deionized water and 400 µl of the solution was injected into a carrier stream of 1.0×10^?2 mol l^?1 sodium borate solution. The sample flowed through a column (70 mm length×2.0 mm i.d.) packed with Zn₃(PO₄)₂ immobilized in a polymeric matrix of polyester resin and Zn(II) ions were released from the solid‐phase reactor because of the formation of the Zn(II) (N‐acetylcysteine)₂ complex. The mixture merged with a stream of borate buffer solution (pH 9.0) containing 5.0×10^?4 mol l^?1 Alizarin red S and the Zn(II)Alizarin red complex formed was measured spectrophotometrically at 540 nm. The analytical curve was linear in the N‐acetylcysteine concentration range from 3.0×10^?5 to 1.5×10^?4 mol l^?1 (4.9 to 24.5 µg ml^?1) with a detections limit of 8.0×10^?6 mol l^?1 (1.3 µg ml^?1). The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were smaller than 0.5% (n=10) for solutions containing 5.0×10^?5 mol l^?1 (8.0 µg ml^?1) and 8.0×10^?5 mol l^?1 (13.0 µg ml^?1) of N‐acetylcysteine, and the analytical frequency was 60 determinations per hour. A paired t‐test showed that all results obtained for N‐acetylcysteine in commercial formulations using the proposed flow‐injection procedure and a comparative procedure agreed at the 95% confidence level.     

The cis‐Diammineplatinum(II) Complex of Curcumin: A Dual Action DNA Crosslinking and Photochemotherapeutic Agent

[Pt(cur)(NH₃)₂](NO₃) ( 1 ), a curcumin‐bound cis‐diammineplatinum(II) complex, nicknamed Platicur, as a novel photoactivated chemotherapeutic agent releases photoactive curcumin and an active platinum(II) species upon irradiation with visible light. The hydrolytic instability of free curcumin reduces upon binding to platinum(II). Interactions of 1 with 5′‐GMP and ct‐DNA indicated formation of platinum‐bound DNA adducts upon exposure to visible light (λ=400–700 nm). It showed apoptotic photocytotoxicity in cancer cells (IC₅₀≈15 μM ), thus forming ^?OH, while remaining passive in the darkness (IC₅₀>200 μM ). A comet assay and platinum estimation suggest Pt–DNA crosslink formation. The fluorescence microscopic images showed cytosolic localization of curcumin, thus implying possibility of dual action as a chemo‐ and phototherapeutic agent.     

Cysteine enhances clastogenic activity of dimethylarsinic acid

The effects of cysteine on dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)‐induced cytotoxicity and chromosomal aberration were studied using Chinese hamster V79 cells. The IC 50 of DMA, i.e. the concentration resulting in a 50% decrease in cell population of viable cells, was 130 µg ml^?1 (0.94 mM ), whereas that in the presence of 50 µg ml^?1 (0.28 mM ) cysteine was 20 µg ml^?1 (0.14 mM ). The mitotic index with co‐administration of 50 µg ml^?1 (0.36 mM ) DMA and 50 µg ml^?1 cysteine was 1.4 times that with 50 µg ml^?1 DMA alone. Whereas 82% of cells divided twice with 25 µg ml^?1 (0.18 mM ) DMA alone, most cells divided only once with co‐administration of 25 µg ml^?1 DMA and 50 µg ml^?1 cysteine. These results indicated that the increase in mitotic index by cysteine was due to enhancement of mitotic arrest by DMA. With co‐administration of 25 µg ml^?1 DMA and 50 µg ml^?1 cysteine, tetraploidy was 14.3% higher and fivefold by that with 25 µg ml^?1 DMA only. Cysteine at 50 µg ml^?1 enhanced induction of chromosomal aberrant cells by DMA. 100 µg ml^?1 (0.72 mM ) DMA induced 91% chromosomal aberrant cells in the presence of cysteine, and 12% in the absence of cysteine. Chromatid breaks and chromatid gaps were the most frequent types of aberration induced by co‐administration of DMA and cysteine or DMA alone. Co‐administration of DMA and cysteine produced many attenuated chromosomal figures. The attenuated chromosomal figures always had several chromatid gaps and chromatid breaks. Our findings may provide clues to arsenic carcinogenesis in humans. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.