Synthesis and reactivity of essential metal complexes with nitrogenated ligands showing bioinorganic or medicinal interest.

• Grant number: 23/11511-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ana Maria da Costa Ferreira
• Grantee: Giovanna Claudino de Lima
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07937-8 - Redoxome - Redox Processes in Biomedicine, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Herein, bioinorganic studies on essential metal ion complexes are proposed, with nitrogenated ligands derived from interesting biological molecules: carnosine and isatin, a dipeptide and an oxindole, respectively. The methodology of syntheses of ligands and corresponding metal complexes has been already developed in our laboratory, based on condensation reactions of suitable carbonyl and amine, or hydrazine precursors. The characterization of the isolated compounds will be achieved by different techniques, especially spectroscopic ones (UV/Vis, IR, NMR and EPR). Interactions of such complexes with DNA will be monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy and circular dichroism, and possible oxidative damage to DNA will be examined by gel electrophorese assays. Finally, the cytotoxicity of these complexes and ligands against tumor cells (cervical HeLa and melanoma SKMEL) will be verified by MTT assays, aiming to determine the corresponding IC50 values, equivalent to 50% inhibition of cell growth.