Themed collection Editors' Collection: Metals in Medicine
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Cryptophane–xenon complexes for 129Xe MRI applications
This review aims to summarize the development of cryptophane biosensors for 129Xe MRI applications, while highlighting innovative biosensor designs and the consequent enhancements in detection sensitivity, which will be invaluable in expanding the scope of 129Xe MRI.
RSC Adv., 2021,11, 7693-7703
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA10765D
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Minerals in biology and medicine
Minerals play important natural roles in biology and offer relatively unexplored potential for the design of novel drugs, for the diagnosis of disease, and for discovery of new biotechnological applications via multisite recognition of biomolecules.
RSC Adv., 2021,11, 1939-1951
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA09992A
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Cerium oxide nanoparticles: properties, biosynthesis and biomedical application
Cerium oxide nanoparticles have revolutionized the biomedical field and is still in very fast pace of development. Hence, this work elaborates the physicochemical properties, biosynthesis, and biomedical applications of cerium oxide nanoparticles.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 27194-27214
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA04736H
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Tumor microenvironment triggered biodegradation of inorganic nanoparticles for enhanced tumor theranostics
In this review, we summarize the recent advances in tumor microenvironment (TME)-triggered biodegradation of inorganic NPs accompanied by imaging signal amplification and the released ions-mediated tumor therapy.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 26742-26751
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA04651E
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Therapeutic potential of dithiocarbamate supported gold compounds
Chrysotherapy or aurotherapy, the use of gold as medicine, is two thousand years old.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 2975-2988
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA09682E
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Coated silver nanoparticles: synthesis, cytotoxicity, and optical properties
Coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently become a topic of interest due to the fact that they have several applications such as in electronic, antimicrobial, industrial, optical, and medical fields as biosensors and drug delivery systems.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 20118-20136
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA02907A
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Scope of organometallic compounds based on transition metal-arene systems as anticancer agents: starting from the classical paradigm to targeting multiple strategies
The advent of the clinically approved drug cisplatin started a new era in the design of metallodrugs for cancer chemotherapy.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 3239-3278
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA07926A
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Laser activatable perfluorocarbon bubbles for imaging and therapy through enhanced absorption from coupled silica coated gold nanoparticles
PFH-NEs from PFH-NEs-scAuNPs can vaporize upon laser excitation leading to formation of PFH bubbles that can be used for contrast enhanced US imaging and therapy.
RSC Adv., 2021,11, 4906-4920
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA08009H
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UV-assisted synthesis of hydroxyapatite from eggshells at ambient temperature: cytotoxicity, drug delivery and bioactivity
Hap has been developed from eggshell by UV-irradiation for the first time. The negligible cytotoxicity and the efficient delivery of a therapeutic level of ciprofloxacin as well as bioactivity of this UV- Hap supports its use in biomedical fields.
RSC Adv., 2021,11, 3686-3694
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA09673C
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Cell-tailored calcium carbonate particles with different crystal forms from nanoparticle to nano/microsphere
The synthesis of cell-tailored calcium carbonate with different crystal forms can be controlled from nanoparticle to nano/microsphere by a bio-inspired strategy.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 43233-43241
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA07393H
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Zinc(II)-cyclen coordinative amphiphiles for enhanced gene delivery
Zn-coordination could dramatically enhance the gene transfection efficiency and reduce the cytotoxicity of conventional cyclen-based cationic liposomes.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 39842-39853
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA08027F
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A first-principles study on potential chelation agents and indicators of Alzheimer's disease
Human-serum transferrin is involved in the transportation of aluminum across the blood–brain barrier.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 35574-35581
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA06855A
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Several coumarin derivatives and their Pd(II) complexes as potential inhibitors of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, an in silico approach
Coumarin derivatives and their Pd(II)-complexes have shown a higher binding potential towards SARS-CoV-2 Mpro than chloroquine/cinanserin along with lower toxicity.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 35099-35108
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA07062A
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In vitro anticancer activity of parent and nano-encapsulated samarium(III) complex towards antimicrobial activity studies and FS-DNA/BSA binding affinity
The biological properties of the Sm-complex, such as its interaction with FS-DNA and BSA, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities were studied.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 31979-31990
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA05280A
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Fluorination in enhancing photoactivated antibacterial activity of Ru(II) complexes with photo-labile ligands
Fluorination in the dppz ligand efficiently enhanced the photoactivated antibacterial activity of Ru(II) complexes with photo-labile ligands against antibiotic-resistant bacteria both under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 25364-25369
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA01806F
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The synthesis, characterization, DNA/BSA/HSA interactions, molecular modeling, antibacterial properties, and in vitro cytotoxic activities of novel parent and niosome nano-encapsulated Ho(III) complexes
A new complex of holmium, [Ho(bpy)(H2O)6]Cl3 has been synthesized, their DNA/BSA/HSA binding, molecular docking, antibacterial activity and MTT assay of niosome nano-encapsulated are investigated.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 22891-22908
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA03436C
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Iron and copper complexes with antioxidant activity as inhibitors of the metastatic potential of glioma cells
Iron and copper complexes with antioxidant activity able to inhibit tumor metastasis by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition in glioma cells.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 12699-12710
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA00166J
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Rhenium(I) complexation–dissociation strategy for synthesising fluorine-18 labelled pyridine bidentate radiotracers
A novel fluorine-18 radiolabelling method employing rhenium(I) mediation is described herein. In less than 1 minute, fluorine-18 labelled complexes and ligands were synthesised in greater than 80% and 60% radiochemical yields (RCY), respectively.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 8853-8865
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA00318B
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Augmented interaction of multivalent arginine coated gold nanoclusters with lipid membranes and cells
A library of ultra-small red photoluminescent gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) were synthesized with an increasing amount of positive charges provided by the addition of mono-, di- or trivalent-glutathione modified arginine peptides.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 6436-6443
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA10047D
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Unveiling the anti-cancer mechanism for half-sandwich and cyclometalated Ir(III)-based complexes with functionalized α-lipoic acid
The introduction of LA improved the anticancer activity of the complex and helped overcome the cisplatin-resistance.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 5392-5398
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA10357K
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Evaluation of cytotoxic potential of structurally well-characterized RNA targeted ionic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) Cu(II) & Zn(II) DACH–mefenamato drug conjugates against human cancer cell lines
New RNA targeted ionic NSAID drug conjugates were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines.
RSC Adv., 2020,10, 166-178
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA07464C
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A novel drug–drug nanohybrid for the self-delivery of porphyrin and cis-platinum
A novel self-delivery drug–drug system nanohybrid constructed by the coordination assembly of porphyrin and cis-platinum was used for synergetic photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 37003-37008
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA07085K
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Increase in the apparent intercalation ability of a platinum complex via multivalency by installation into the sidechain of a graft copolymer and observation of structural changes in the intercalated DNA
Pt complexes increase their apparent binding constant by grafting on sidechains of polymer segments via multivalent effect.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 26429-26434
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA03485D
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Pluronic F127 self-assembled MoS2 nanocomposites as an effective glutathione responsive anticancer drug delivery system
In this study, bio-responsive polymeric MoS2 nanocomposites were prepared for use as a drug carrier for cancer therapy.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 25592-25601
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA04249K
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Aptamer–gold nanoparticle conjugates for the colorimetric detection of arboviruses and vector mosquito species
Colorimetric detection of arboviruses and vector mosquito species. (A) Aptamer-gold nanoparticle conjugates, (B) mosquito salivary protein, (C) Zika envelope protein, (D) visible color change, (E) imbibed diagnostic and (F) diagnostic cards.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 23752-23763
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA02089F
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Improving the anticancer activity of platinum(IV) prodrugs using a dual-targeting strategy with a dichloroacetate axial ligand
Complex 1b could release complex B and DCA, playing a dual-targeting anti-tumor effect against cancer cells, targeting nuclear DNA and mitochondria, respectively.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 22240-22247
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA03690C
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Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by copper complex Cu(SBCM)2 towards oestrogen-receptor positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells
Cu(SBCM)2 binds to DNA topoisomerase I, which, in turn, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, possibly via p53 signalling pathway.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 18359-18370
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA03130H
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Enhanced cellular uptake and photochemotherapeutic potential of a lipophilic strained Ru(II) polypyridyl complex
A strained Ru(II) prodrug exhibited enhanced cellular uptake and phototoxicity due to its lipophilic properties.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 17254-17265
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA02615K
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Biogenesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Pandanus odorifer leaf extract: anticancer and antimicrobial activities
The continuously increasing incidence rates of cancer and infectious diseases are open threats to the sustainable survival of animals and humans.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 15357-15369
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA01659G
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Inhibition of metal-induced amyloid β-peptide aggregation by a blood–brain barrier permeable silica–cyclen nanochelator
A BBB-passable nanoscale silica–cyclen chelator effectively reduces the metal-induced Aβ aggregates and related ROS, thereby decreasing the neurotoxicity of Aβ.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 14126-14131
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA02358E
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Cholesterol-coated gold nanorods as an efficient nano-carrier for chemotherapeutic delivery and potential treatment of breast cancer: in vitro studies using the MCF-7 cell line
Gold nanorods demonstrate a recognized role in the treatment of breast cancer cell lines as an efficient nanocarrier for chemotherapeutic drug delivery.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 12718-12731
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA01041F
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Enzymatic synthesis of selenium-containing amphiphilic aliphatic polycarbonate as an oxidation-responsive drug delivery vehicle
A facile synthetic strategy based on enzymatic polymerization was developed to construct a ROS-responsive polycarbonate served as biocompatible drug vehicle.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 6003-6010
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA10282A
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Cisplatin, glutathione and the third wheel: a copper-(1,10-phenanthroline) complex modulates cisplatin–GSH interactions from antagonism to synergism in cancer cells resistant to cisplatin
A new drug cocktail is proposed to overcome the cisplatin-resistance due to the presence of glutathione. A2780 cisplatin-resistant cells, treated with the drug cocktail, showed early apoptosis.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 5362-5376
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA09652J
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Designing photolabile ruthenium polypyridyl crosslinkers for hydrogel formation and multiplexed, visible-light degradation
Multiplexed visible-light photolysis: two ruthenium crosslinkers were used to generate a PEG based hydrogel that can be degraded selectively with orange and blue light.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 4942-4947
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA09764J
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Near-infrared emitting lanthanide(III) complexes as prototypes of optical imaging agents with peptide targeting ability: a methodological approach
NIR Ln(III) complexes combining a cyclen derivative, azo-dye as a sensitizer and a cRGD peptide as a targeting moiety.
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 1747-1751
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA09419E
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Gold nanoparticle coatings as efficient adenovirus carriers to non-infectable stem cells
Assessment of the differences of the levels of gene expression achieved in non-infectable MSCs, by the completion of recombinant adenoviruses together with different NPs combinations (gold NPs or a commercially available polyethylenimine derivative).
RSC Adv., 2019,9, 1327-1334
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA09088B
About this collection
This collection, guest-edited by Associate Editor Dr. Camilla Abbehausen (University of Campinas), features articles on Metals in Medicine. This exciting research field explores all the periodic table diversity to design molecules, particles, and materials for diagnosis and treatment. More than fifty-five years after the discovery of cisplatin antitumor activity and its tremendous impact in medicine, the collection shows how the field has expanded. The selection demonstrates strategies for tailoring the properties of metal complexes, metal nanoparticles, and inorganic materials by using coordination chemistry and nanotechnology.
Novel metallodrug designs continue to be exciting as innovative synthetic strategies of functionalization generate safer and more effective drugs. Their mechanistic investigation is also along with these contributions. Photodynamic and photothermal therapy gained strength as metals can provide the main characteristics for a successful agent. Metallo nanoparticles also present several applications as they can star in therapy and diagnostics or be a platform for drug delivery. Moreover, metallo-organic framework (MOFs) also figures in the advanced delivery systems. This edition envisages giving a taste of the diversity and impact of Metals in Medicine.