Conjugation of a gold(iii) complex with vitamin B1 and chlorambucil derivatives: anticancer evaluation and mechanistic insights

Abstract

A novel cyclometalated gold(III) complex supported by chlorambucil coupled with phenylpyridine (CHL-N^C) and a hybrid of vitamin B1 with dithiocarbamate (B1-DTC) with the formula [(CHL-N^C)Au^III(B1-DTC)](Cl₂), 1, was synthesized and fully characterized using different techniques, including multinuclear NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. This complex is water-soluble and stable in a biological environment. This new complex offers a new scaffold to explore the biological properties of gold(III) complexes as an anticancer drug. The antiproliferative activities of complex 1 and free ligands against breast and colon cancer cells showed auspicious results with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range for complex 1 and more active than cisplatin and free ligands with selectivity over non-tumorigenic cells human lung fibroblasts, MRC-5. The DNA binding and inhibition of thioredoxin reductase of complex 1 were studied and compared with molecular docking results. Moreover, the Au cellular uptake and apoptosis of this new complex were investigated.