Benzimidazole-Based NHC Metal Complexes as Anticancer Drug Candidates: Gold(I) vs. Platinum(II)
, Patricia Grabher 1, Amelie Scherfler 1, Klaus Wurst 2, Brigitte Kircher 3, Ronald Gust 1 and Hristo P. Varbanov 1,4,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The MS titled (Benzimidazole-based NHC Metal Complexes as Anticancer Drug Candidates: Gold(I) vs. Platinum(II) ) by Paul Kapitza et al is dealing with the preparation and characterization of cis/trans-[PtL2X2] (X = Cl (5, 6) or I (7, 8)), [PtL3Cl]+ (9), [AuLX] (X = Cl (10) or I (11)), and [AuL2] + (12) 17 type, where L is 1,3-diethylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene. The stability of the complexes in the presence of cell culture medium and their reactivity toward relevant biomolecules were investigated by RP-HPLC. Their effects on plasmid DNA and in vitro cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells and non-malignant fibroblasts were also discussed,
The MS language need editing and the novelty of the study should listed at the end of the introduction section.
- Introduction: needs more recent data about N-heterocyclic carbene chemistry, complex formation and biological activities.
- Experimental: need more clearance with the amounts used in gm, mL and mmol. Also, the IR and mass spectra, and thermal stability of the complexes should be added.
-Results and discussion: the IR and mass spectra, and thermal stability of the complexes should be added.
The biological applications must be discussed from inorganic point of view, based on the nature of metal ion, geometry, carben coordination as well as the mobility.
- Conclusion: need more data
- References: recent REf are required
Need editing
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors of a manuscript as the tittle “Benzimidazole-based NHC Metal Complexes as Anticancer 2 Drug Candidates: Gold(I) vs. Platinum(II)” describe a continuation of the study of a series of Pt(II)- and Au(I)-NHC complexes of the benzimidazol-2-ylidene type were synthesized and characterized in detail by various techniques. To elucidate the role of the metal center on the physicochemical and biological properties of the compounds, their stability in cell culture medium and in the presence of relevant biomolecules, as well as their in vitro cytotoxicity and interactions with plasmid DNA, were investigated. I find this study perfectly suitable for publication in Inorganics.
Author Response
We thank the referee for the positive evaluation.
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript investigated about the influence of metal (platinum or gold) in the chemical and biological properties of some N-heterocyclic carbene derivatives, even evidencing differences in their mode of action, in particular for their affinity with DNA nucleobases. The new platinum and gold derivatives showed higher cytoxicity with respect to the FDA approved counterparts (cisplatin and auranofin) in the considered cancer cells lines. Moreover, a lower activity on healthy fibroblast was observed suggesting a specific targeting of action.
The manuscript is interesting and well organized. I suggest only to better organize the scheme 1 and remove the arrows.
Minor editing of English language required
Author Response
We would like to thank the reviewer for his comments and evaluation. We reorganized and improved Scheme 1 as suggested (e.g., the arrows were removed).
