A comparative study on the metal complexes of an anticancer estradiol-hydroxamate conjugate and salicylhydroxamic acid

Hydroxamic acids bearing an (O,O) donor set are well-known metal-chelating compounds with diverse biological activities including anticancer activity. Since steroid conjugation with a pharmacophoric moiety may have the potential to improve this effect, a salicylhydroxamic acid–estradiol hybrid molecule (E2HA) was synthesized. Only minimal effect of the conjugation on the proton dissociation constants was observed in comparison to salicylhydroxamic acid (SHA). The complexation with essential metal ions (iron, copper) was characterized, since E2HA may exert its cytotoxicity through the binding of these ions in cells. UV–visible spectrophotometric and pH-potentiometric titrations revealed the formation of high-stability complexes, while the Fe(III) preference over Fe(II) was proved by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical measurements. Complex formation with half-sandwich Rh(III)(η5-Cp*) and Ru(II)(η6-p-cymene) organometallic cations was also studied as it may improve the anticancer effect and the pharmacokinetic profile of the ligand. At equimolar concentration the speciation is complicated because of the presence of mononuclear and binuclear complexes. The complexes readily react with small molecules e.g. glutathione, 1-methylimidazole and nucleosides, having major effect on solution speciation, namely mixed-ligand complex formation and ligand displacement occur. These processes serve as models for the interactions with biomolecules in the body. E2HA exerted moderate anticancer activity (IC50 = 25–59 μM) in the tested three human cancer cell lines (Colo205, Colo320 and MCF-7), while being non-toxic on non-cancerous MRC-5 cells. Meanwhile, SHA was inactive in the same cells. Complexation with half-sandwich Rh(III) and Ru(II) cations had only a minor improvement on the cytotoxic effect of E2HA. Characterization of solution equilibria of an estradiol-hydroxamate molecular hybrid: proton dissociation, complex formation with essential metal ions and organometallic Ru(II) and Rh(III). The anticancer activity assayed in human cancer cell lines: the hybridization improved the cytotoxicity. [Display omitted] •Solubility, lipophilicity and pKa values of an estradiol-hydroxamic acid hybrid.•Fe(III) and Cu(II) complexes: stability and redox properties.•Mono- and binuclear complexes with half-sandwich Ru(II) and Rh(III).•Cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines.•Interaction with glutathione, 1-methylimidazole and nucleosides.