Main author: Alicja Weronika Kahlan
Institution or Company: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Science Institute University of Iceland, Dunhagi 3, 107 Reykjavik
Co-Authors, Institution or Company:
Linda Allena Hancock, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Science Institute University of Iceland, Dunhagi 3, 107 Reykjavik. Sigríður Guðrun Suman, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Science Institute University of Iceland, Dunhagi 3, 107 Reykjavik.
Introduction: Cyanide is a well-known compound occurring naturally: in human organisms, in edible plants, in fungi, and many microorganisms. Moreover, it is an in-depth characterized toxin known for centuries. Current antidotal treatment methods include cobalt complexes, thiosulfates, methemoglobin formers, which do not fulfill the conditions of an ideal antidote to be rapid, non-toxic, and with minimal side effects.
Methods: Ex vivo and in vivo experiments were conducted. The first one included studies of the catalytic activity in water solutions the latter required a mouse model.
Results: Molybdenum, as a bioavailable nutrient is an excellent choice for metallodrug design. [Mo2O2S4] complexes with amino acids are capable of converting cyanides into thiocyanates in aqueous solution. Moreover, examined compounds possess low cytotoxicity. In vivo studies proved the antidotal activity of K[(Thr)Mo2O2S4].
Conclusion: Obtained results indicate that threonine, as a chiral amino acid, may influence the efficacy of studied complex. Separation of the enantiomers may confirm which step is most affected by the antidote stereochemistry– absorption, metabolism or elimination.
