Hybrid metal complexes with opposed biological modes of action – promising selective drug candidates

The oxidative stress is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The antioxidative defense system in the living organism regulates the toxic impact of ROS and there is strong evidence that the antioxidants prevent some pathologies including cancer. The specific chemical properties of metal-based drugs impart innovative pharmacological profiles to this type of therapeutic agents, most likely in relation to novel biomolecular mechanisms. This review will focus on a novel approach to design polyfunctional metal-based physiollogically active compounds with opposed modes of action – prooxidant metal center and antioxidant 2,6-dialkylphenol group. The synthesis and anti/prooxidant activity and cytotoxicity studies of novel organometallic/coordination compounds (ferrocenes, complexes with di-(2-picolyl)amine ligand, porphyrins, pyridines, thiols, carboxylates) based on either biogenic metals (Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ni) or exogenic metals (Sn, Au, Rh) are presented and discussed. The results allow us to conclude that combining in one molecule a redox active metal center and cytoprotective functional organic moiety with antioxidative function is a promising way to rational metallodrug design in modern medicinal chemistry.