Promising application of polyoxometalates in the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases and Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

As shown in studies conducted in recent decades, polyoxometalates (POMs), as inorganic metal oxides, have promising biological activities, including antitumor, anti-infectious and anti-Alzheimer's activities, due to their special structures and properties. However, some side effects impede their clinical applications to a certain extent. Compared with unmodified POMs, POM-based inorganic-organic hybrids and POM-based nanocomposite structures show significantly enhanced bioactivity and reduced side effects. In this review, we introduce the biological activities of POMs and their derivatives and highlight the side effects of POMs on normal cells and organisms and their possible mechanisms of action. We then propose a development direction for overcoming their side effects. POMs are expected to constitute a new generation of inorganic metal drugs for the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and Alzheimer's disease.

Combined Experimental and Computational Study of V-Substituted Lindqvist Polyoxotungstate: Screening by Docking for Potential Antidiabetic Activity

“…Furthermore, several previous studies reported that the oral administration of POMs is presumed safe with a low risk of negative health effects. ,− For instance, polyoxotungstates show a potential antitumor activity and lower toxicity in vitro as well as in vivo experiments . Especially, vanadotungstates and polyoxovanadates have evidenced a good antitumor activity against some human cancer cells (MCF-7 human breast cells, HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell, etc.)…”

“…Especially, vanadotungstates and polyoxovanadates have evidenced a good antitumor activity against some human cancer cells (MCF-7 human breast cells, HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell, etc.) with low general cytotoxicity. , In addition, they are considered inhibitors of SERCA and PMCA Ca2+-ATPase , as well as bioactive target agents for Alzheimer’s diabetes and infectious disease treatments. − …”

Tris‐Functionalized Polyoxotungstovanadate‐Mediated Antitumor Efficacy Involves Multiple Cell Death Pathways

“…Due to the different signaling involved in cell death pathways between tumor cells and normal cells, it is possible to design POM drugs that have better selectivity by adjusting the ratio of the vanadium and tungsten atoms. On the other hand, the introduction of organic parts into the POMs framework could change its surface, charge, polarity and REDOX properties, resulting in the further reduction of cytotoxicity to normal cells [20,21] . The results showed that all the POMs have higher TI value as compared to the two approved drugs 5‐FU and Gemcitabine.…”

Exploiting Interactions between Polyoxometalates and Proteins for Applications in (Bio)chemistry and Medicine

“…The negative charge, three‐dimensional shape and high polarity of POMs enable specific interactions with positively charged protein surfaces [12] . These interactions have been linked to the well‐documented biological properties of POMs, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity [6, 13, 14] . Additionally, the favorable binding of POMs to protein surfaces renders them ideally suited for facilitating the crystallization of proteins and solving their structures through X‐ray diffraction [15–17] .…”