Gold Compounds: Strategies for the Development of Selective Metallodrugs

Our research has focused on modulating gold complexes through the use of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, the incorporation of selenium as a molecular modification to improve their selectivity. Increasing lipophilicity and strengthening the Au–C bond has proven to be effective strategies, particularly against protozoan parasites such as Leishmania, for which we have achieved selectivity indices up to 200-fold higher for certain species. Another strategy to enhance selectivity involves the use of liposomes as protective nanocarriers for gold compounds. These systems are designed to release their cargo only after photoactivation at the target tissue, thereby minimizing off-target effects and reducing damage to healthy or surrounding tissues. Finally, Au(III) complexes can serve as versatile delivery platforms for lipids, hormones, and other bioactive molecules through the coordination of readily tunable ligands such as lipoic acid, expanding their potential for targeted therapeutic applications.