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- Antiproliferative organic salts derived from betulinic acid: Disclosure of an ionic liquid selective against lung and liver cancer cellsPublication . Silva, Ana Teresa; Cerqueira, Maria João; Prudêncio, Cristina; Fernandes, Maria Helena; Costa-Rodrigues, João; Teixeira, Cátia; Gomes, Paula; Ferraz, RicardoIn the last few years, we have been witnessing an increasing interest in ionic liquids (ILs) and organic salts, given their potential applications in biological and pharmaceutical sciences. We report the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel organic salts combining betulinate, known for its anticancer properties, with antimalarial drugs, primaquine, chloroquine, and mepacrine, and also with the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium ([P6,6,6,14]) cation. The salts were screened for their in vitro activity against tumor lines HepG2 (liver), MG63 (osteosarcoma), T47D (breast), A459 (lung), and RKO (colon), and also on normal human fibroblasts. All betulinates prepared displayed antiproliferative properties, with the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium betulinate standing out for its higher selectivity. This unprecedented disclosure of a betulinic acid (BA)-derived IL with selective antitumor activity constitutes a relevant first step toward development of novel anticancer therapies based on BA-derived IL.
- Surfing the third wave of ionic liquids: a brief review on the role of surface-active ionic liquids in drug development and DeliveryPublication . Silva, Ana Teresa; Teixeira, Cátia; Prudêncio, Cristina; Marques, Eduardo F.; Gomes, Paula; Ferraz, RicardoThe relevance of ionic liquids (ILs) is now well established in many fields, as their unique properties make them appealing as 1) greener alternatives to organic solvents (first-generation ILs), 2) tunable task-specific materials (second-generation ILs), and 3) multifunctional players in life and pharmaceutical sciences (third-generation ILs). This third wave of ILs encompasses a wide range of compounds, from bioactive molecules with single or even dual therapeutic action, to potential ingredient molecules for drug formulation and transport systems. In this context, the focus of this review is the emergent role of surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) in drug development and delivery.
- Bioactivity of ionic liquidsPublication . Ferraz, Ricardo; Teixeira, Cátia; Gomes, Paula; Prudêncio, CristinaIonic liquids (ILs) were discovered a century ago, but it was only three decades ago that they started to catch the attention of the scientific commu- nity. ILs are defined as organic salts composed of an organic cation and an organic or inorganic anion2,3 that are stable below their melting point.
- Ionic liquids for topical delivery in cancerPublication . Dias, Ana Rita; Costa-Rodrigues, João; Teixeira, Cátia; Gomes, Paula; Prudêncio, Cristina; Ferraz, RicardoThe unique properties of ionic liquids make them quite appealing for diverse applications, from "green" solvents (1st generation ionic liquids) to finely tuned materials (2nd generation ionic liquids). A decade ago, a 3rd generation of ionic liquids emerged which is focused on their prospective clinical applications, either as drugs per se or as adjuvants in drug formulations. In recent years, research focused on use of ionic liquids for topical drug delivery has been increasing and holds great promise towards clinical application against skin cancers. This article highlights the growing relevance of ionic liquids in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical technology, which is opening new windows of opportunity.