Cyclopalladated and cycloplatinated benzophenone imines: Antitumor, antibacterial and antioxidant activities, DNA interaction and cathepsin B inhibition

The antitumor, antibacterial and antioxidant activity, DNA interaction and cathepsin B inhibition of cyclo-ortho-palladated and -platinated compounds [Pd(C,N)]2(μ-X)2 [X = OAc (1), X = Cl (2)] and trans-N,P-[M(C,N)X(PPh3)] [M = Pd, X = OAc (3), M = Pd, X = Cl (4), M = Pt, X = Cl (5)] are discussed [(C,N) = cyclo-ortho-metallated benzophenone imine]. The cytotoxicity of compound 5 has been evaluated towards human breast (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and colon (HCT-116) cancer cell lines and that of compounds 1–4 towards the HCT-116 human colon cancer cell line. These cytotoxicities have been compared with those previously reported for compounds 1–4 towards MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Compound 3 and 4 were approximately four times more active than cisplatin against the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, and compound 5, was approximately four times more potent than cisplatin against the HCT-116 cancer cell line. The antibacterial activity of compounds 1–5 was in between the ranges of activity of the commercial antibiotic compounds cefixime and roxithromycin. Complexes 1–2 and 4–5 presented also antioxidant activity. Compounds 1–5 alter the DNA tertiary structure in a similar way to cisplatin, but at higher concentration, and do not present a high efficiency as cathepsin B inhibitors. Compound 5 has not been previously described, and its preparation, characterization, and X-ray crystal structure are reported.

Graphical abstractThe antitumor, antibacterial and antioxidant activity, DNA interaction and cathepsin B inhibition of cyclo-ortho-palladated and -platinated benzophenone imines shown in the figure have been studied.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide