Supramolecular palladium complexes based on guanidinium pillar[5]arene for cancer therapy†

Abstract

The supramolecular palladium complex G-Pd, formed via self-assembly of the Pd-complex of guanidinium pillar[5]arene with Pd²⁺, was used to encapsulate doxorubicin to form G-Pd@DOX. The nanoparticles exhibit responsiveness to glutathione, controlled drug release, the ability to damage mitochondria, and potent anticancer activity while maintaining low toxicity towards normal cells. This work provides a good example for the application of pillararene-based palladium complexes in cancer therapy and is significant for the discovery of new medicines from supramolecular coordination complexes.