In vitro Biological Activities of Gold(I) and Gold(III) Bis(N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Complexes

Abstract

The aim of this research is to evaluate for the first time the in vitro leishmanicidal activity and inhibition of α-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase of new gold(I) and gold(III) complexes involving N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, with the general formula [Au(X)n(NHC)R2][BF4] (X=Cl, OAc, R=various aromatic and aliphatic substituents). The Au(III) complexes were shown to have a significant antileishmanial activity, and were also found to be more potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase enzymes than the standard drugs. Some complexes were also identified as potent anti-inflammatory agents with activity comparable to that of tested standard drugs, allopurinol and ibuprofen. These gold complexes were also evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against HeLa (cervical cancer), MCF-3 (breast cancer), and 3T3 (mouse fibroblast) cell lines.