Novel platinum(II) complexes of 4′-substituted terpyridine ligands were synthesized and characterized. Each complex had a different biomolecule (amine, glucose, biotin and hyaluronic acid) as a targeting motif, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes. We demonstrated that complexes can self-assemble in water into about 150 nm nanoparticles. Moreover, the complexes were assayed in vitro toward a panel of human cancer cell lines (ovarian adenocarcinoma A2780, lung cancer A549, breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231, neuroblastoma SHSY5Y) to explore the impact of the pendant moiety on the terpyridine toxicity. The platinum complex of terpyridine amine derivative, [Pt(TpyNH₂)Cl]Cl, showed the best antiproliferative effect, which was higher than cisplatin and [Pt(Tpy)Cl]Cl. Selective in vitro antiproliferative activity was achieved in A549 cancer cells with the Pt–HAtpy complex. These findings underline the potential of these novel platinum(II) complexes in cancer therapy and highlight the importance of tailored molecular design for achieving enhanced therapeutic effects.

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and its low-molecular-weight fragments (LMWH) are widely used as anticoagulants for surgical procedures and extracorporeal blood purification therapies such as cardiovascular surgery and dialysis. The anticoagulant effect of heparin is essential for the optimal execution of extracorporeal blood circulation. However, at the end of these procedures, to avoid the risk of bleeding, it is necessary to neutralize it. Currently, the only antidote for heparin neutralization is protamine sulphate, a highly basic protein which constitutes a further source of serious side events and is ineffective in neutralizing LMWH. Furthermore, dialysis patients, due to the routine administration of heparin, often experience serious adverse effects, among which HIT (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia) is one of the most severe. For this reason, the finding of new heparin antagonists or alternative methods for heparin removal from blood is of great interest. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a set of biocompatible macroporous cryogels based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and L-lysine with strong filtering capability and remarkable neutralization performance with regard to UFH and LMWH. These properties could enable the design and creation of a filtering device to rapidly reverse heparin, protecting patients from the harmful consequences of the anticoagulant.

A polyvinylimidazole-based cryogel is presented as a pioneering solution for efficient extraction and release of partially water-soluble polyphenols from olive byproducts. Specifically, oleuropein was used as model molecule to evaluate its recovery from water. The material merges the properties of interconnected cryogel structure in adsorbing molecules via fast diffusion flux, with the strong electrostatic interactions acted by imidazole moiety. Such cryogel achieves effective oleuropein binding likely through hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. Comprehensive assessments of static adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and desorption kinetics underscore the cryogel’s efficacy in oleuropein extraction and release, highlighting its pivotal role in valorizing olive wastewater through sustainable biotechnological applications.