Selective Anticancer and Antimicrobial Metallodrugs Based on Gold(III) Dithiocarbamate Complexes

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Dithiocarbamate compounds are known for diverse biological activities.
• Cycloaurated complexes offer unique structural and electronic properties.
• Developing novel anticancer agents with improved efficacy and selectivity is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel dithiocarbamate cycloaurated complexes.
• To evaluate their in vitro antitumor properties against human colon cancer cells.
• To assess their physicochemical properties, stability, and antimicrobial potential.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of dithiocarbamate cycloaurated complexes.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assays using human colon cancer cell line (Caco-2/TC7).
• Assessment of physicochemical properties (hydrophilicity/lipophilicity, BSA binding) and physiological stability.
• Antimicrobial activity testing against bacteria (S. aureus, E. coli) and fungi (C. albicans, C. neoformans).

Main Results:

• Synthesized complexes demonstrated good blood transport and biodistribution due to balanced hydrophilicity/lipophilicity and moderate BSA binding.
• Complexes exhibited excellent physiological stability without decomposition.
• Significant in vitro antiproliferative activity and selectivity against colon cancer cells, outperforming cisplatin and auranofin.
• Some complexes showed antioxidant activity, with the mechanism of action still under investigation.
• Good antimicrobial activity was observed against tested bacteria and fungi.

Conclusions:

• Dithiocarbamate cycloaurated complexes possess promising antitumor and antimicrobial properties.
• Their favorable physicochemical and stability profiles support potential therapeutic applications.
• Further research into their mechanism of action and in vivo efficacy is warranted.