Metal Ions in Health and Diseases: Current Progress and Future Challenges

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metal ions play a pivotal role in numerous physiological processes within the human body, ranging from enzyme activation to cellular signaling. However, dysregulation in metal ion homeostasis has been implicated in various health conditions and diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The study of metal ions in health and diseases represents a burgeoning field of research, with significant implications for both diagnosis and treatment.

Recent advances in analytical techniques have facilitated the detection and quantification of metal ions in biological samples, enabling researchers to better understand their roles in disease pathogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. Moreover, studies exploring the therapeutic potential of metal ion chelators and modulators have provided promising avenues for the development of novel treatments.

Despite these advancements, numerous challenges persist. For instance, elucidating precise mechanisms of metal ion dysregulation, developing effective targeting and modulation strategies, overcoming analytical limitations, discovering reliable biomarkers, and translating findings into clinically viable treatments. Additionally, understanding interactions with other biological factors and bridging the gap between basic research and clinical applications are key challenges in this field. The current topic aims to provide a platform for researchers to disseminate their findings and insights into the role of metal ions in health and diseases. We invite manuscripts that delve into the multifaceted realm of metal ion biology, spanning from the intricate coordination chemistry of metal ions within biological systems to their pivotal roles in disease pathogenesis, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, we encourage submissions that explore emerging research frontiers, including the utilization of metal nanoparticles in cutting-edge biomedical applications like targeted drug delivery and advanced imaging techniques.

Dr. Massimiliano F. Peana
Prof. Dr. Carlo Santini
Dr. Maura Pellei
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Chemistry chemistry	2.4	3.2	2019	17.2 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Molecules molecules	4.2	7.4	1996	15.1 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Biomolecules biomolecules	4.8	9.4	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Inorganics inorganics	3.1	2.8	2013	15.8 Days	CHF 2200	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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20 pages, 7445 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Luminescent Properties, and Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities of Rare Earth-Caffeic Acid Complexes

by Nguyen Thi Hien Lan, Hoang Phu Hiep, Tran Van Quy and Pham Van Khang

Molecules 2025, 30(10), 2162; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30102162 - 14 May 2025

Viewed by 151

Abstract

Rare earth elements (Ln: Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy) were complexed with caffeic acid (Caf), a natural phenolic compound, to synthesize novel luminescent complexes with enhanced biological activities. The complexes, formulated as Ln(Caf)₃·4H₂O, were characterized using infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric [...] Read more.

Rare earth elements (Ln: Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy) were complexed with caffeic acid (Caf), a natural phenolic compound, to synthesize novel luminescent complexes with enhanced biological activities. The complexes, formulated as Ln(Caf)₃·4H₂O, were characterized using infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA), mass spectrometry (MS), and fluorescence spectroscopy. Structural studies confirmed the coordination of caffeic acid via carboxylate and hydroxyl groups, forming stable hexacoordinate complexes. Luminescence analysis revealed intense emission bands in the visible spectrum (480–700 nm), attributed to f-f transitions of Ln³⁺ ions, with decay lifetimes ranging from 0.054 to 0.064 ms. Biological assays demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with inhibition zones up to 44 mm at 200 µg/mL. The complexes also exhibited potent anticancer activity against MCF7 breast cancer cells, with Sm(Caf)₃·4H₃O showing the lowest IC₅₀ value (15.5 µM). This study highlights the dual functionality of rare earth metal-caffeic acid complexes as promising candidates for biomedical imaging and therapeutic applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Metal Ions in Health and Diseases: Current Progress and Future Challenges)

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31 pages, 8352 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Novel Trimethoprim-Based Metal Complexes and Nanoparticle Functionalization: Synthesis, Structural Analysis, and Anticancer Properties

by Abbas M. Abbas, Hossam H. Nasrallah, A. Aboelmagd, W. Christopher Boyd, Haitham Kalil and Adel S. Orabi

Inorganics 2025, 13(5), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13050144 - 1 May 2025

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Abstract

In this study, we synthesized a novel trimethoprim derivative, 4-(((2-amino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl) pyrimidine-4-yl)imino)methyl)benzene-1,3-diol (HD), by the reaction of trimethoprim with 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. We then prepared metal complexes of this derivative with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Ag(I), and Zn(II) and functionalized them with ZnO and Au nanoparticles. Their [...] Read more.

In this study, we synthesized a novel trimethoprim derivative, 4-(((2-amino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl) pyrimidine-4-yl)imino)methyl)benzene-1,3-diol (HD), by the reaction of trimethoprim with 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. We then prepared metal complexes of this derivative with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Ag(I), and Zn(II) and functionalized them with ZnO and Au nanoparticles. Their structures were confirmed through ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry, FTIR, conductivity, thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and TEM, revealing octahedral geometries for all complexes. Surface features were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) analysis. Pharmacokinetic parameters and target enzymes for HD and its complexes were computed using the SwissADME web tool, with the BOILED-Egg model indicating that HD and its Cu complex should be passively permeable via the blood-brain barrier and highly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), unlike the Ni, Co, Ag, and Zn complexes, which are predicted to show low GIT absorption. Molecular docking studies with the Caspase-3 enzyme (PDB code: 3GJQ) using the AutoDock 4.2 software demonstrated binding energies of −7.66, −8.36, −9.05, −8.62, −6.90, and −7.81 kcal/mol for HD and the Cu, Co, Ni, Ag, and Zn complexes, respectively, compared to −6.54 and −4.63 kcal/mol for TMP and 5-FU (5-fluorouracil), indicating a potential superior anticancer potential of the novel compounds. The anticancer activities of these complexes were evaluated using the MTT assay. The IC₅₀ values for 5-FU, TMP, HD, Cu-HD, HD@ZnONPs, Cu-HD@ZnONPs, HD@AuNPs, and Cu-HD@AuNPs were found to be 32.53, 80.76, 114.7, 61.66, 77, 53.13, 55.06, and 50.81 µg/mL, respectively. Notably, all derivatives exhibited higher activity against the HepG-2 cancer cell line than TMP, except for HD, which showed similar effectiveness to TMP. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the Au-HD@AuNPs and Cu-HD@AuNPs significantly increased caspase-3 inhibition by 4.35- and 4.5-fold and P53 expression by 3.05- and 3.41-fold, respectively, indicating enhanced pro-apoptotic gene expression and apoptosis induction in HepG2 cells. Our findings demonstrate that these novel derivatives possess significant anticancer properties, with some complexes showing superior activity compared to standard drugs such as 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Trimethoprim (TMP). This study highlights the potential of these nanocomposites as promising candidates for cancer therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Metal Ions in Health and Diseases: Current Progress and Future Challenges)

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29 pages, 7203 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

New Cu(II), Cu(I) and Ag(I) Complexes of Phenoxy-Ketimine Schiff Base Ligands: Synthesis, Structures and Antibacterial Activity

by Miriam Caviglia, Zhenzhen Li, Carlo Santini, Jo’ Del Gobbo, Cristina Cimarelli, Miao Du, Alessandro Dolmella and Maura Pellei

Molecules 2025, 30(9), 1893; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30091893 - 24 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Two phenoxy-ketimines ligands, 2-(1-(benzylimino)ethyl)phenol (HL^BSMe) and 2-((benzylimino)(phenyl)methyl)phenol (HL^BSPh), were synthesized and used as supporting ligands of new copper(II), copper(I), and silver(I) complexes. In order to confer different solubility properties to the metal complexes and to stabilize Cu and Ag [...] Read more.

Two phenoxy-ketimines ligands, 2-(1-(benzylimino)ethyl)phenol (HL^BSMe) and 2-((benzylimino)(phenyl)methyl)phenol (HL^BSPh), were synthesized and used as supporting ligands of new copper(II), copper(I), and silver(I) complexes. In order to confer different solubility properties to the metal complexes and to stabilize Cu and Ag in their +1 oxidation state, the lipophilic triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) and the hydrophilic 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) were selected as co-ligands in the syntheses of the Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes. All compounds were characterized by CHN analysis, NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS); the molecular structure of the copper(II) complex [Cu(L^BSPh)₂] was also determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the metal complexes, the Schiff base ligands and phosphane co-ligands, were assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Metal Ions in Health and Diseases: Current Progress and Future Challenges)

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