Antimalarial gold complexes

A gold complex auranofin has been developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This is a typical linear two-coordinate complex of gold , with soft S and P donors to match the soft metal ion (Figure 9.4). The bulky ligands here promote compatibility in the bio-environment, and activity is influenced by the substituents on the RS and R3P ligands. Gold complexes have also been examined for antimicrobial, antimalarial and anti HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) activity. A copper(II) complex (Figure 9.4) is effective as a competitive inhibitor of HIV-1. 

Navarro, M., Vasquez, F., Sanchez-Delgado, R.A., Perez, H., Sinou, V. and Schrevel, J. (2004) Toward a Novel Metal-Based Chemotherapy against Tropical Diseases. 7. Synthesis and in Vitro Antimalarial Activity of New Gold-Chloroquine Complexes. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 47, 5204. 

Hemmert C, Fabie A, Fabre A, Benoit-Vical F, Gornitzka H. Synthesis, strucmres, and antimalarial activities of some silver(I), gold(I) and gold(III) complexes involving N-heterocyclic carbene hgands. Eur J Med Chem. 2013 60 64-75. 

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