Phosphinegold(I) thiolates--pharmacological use and potential.

Abstract

A brief overview of the use of gold compounds in medicine, namely in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is presented, including that of the orally-administered triethylphosphinegold(I) tetraacetylatedthioglucose species, auranofin. A summary of an evaluation for anti-arthritic activity of novel phosphinegold(I) thiolate analogues containing biologically active thiols is given. This shows that compounds with greater efficacy and reduced toxic side-effects, at least in the in vivo model studied, can be developed. More recent investigations on this class of compound have focussed on their putative anti-tumour activity. Significant cytotoxicity and apparent cellular specificity have been discovered for certain phosphinegold(I) thiolates carrying water-solubilising groups. All indications are there that the continued exploration of the medicinal properties of phosphinegold(I) thiolates offers very real opportunities in metallotherapeutics.

• Authors: Edward R T Tiekink
• Journal: Bioinorganic chemistry and applications (Bioinorg Chem Appl) Pg. 53-67 ( 2003) ISSN: 1565-3633 [Print] Egypt
• PMID: 18365043 (Publication Type: Journal Article)