The physicochemical properties and influence on living organisms of nanocluster polyoxomolybdates as prospective bioinspired substances (based on materials from the plenary lecture)

Abstract Porous spherical nanocluster polyoxometalates which contain molybdenum at high valence state and with Keplerate structure possess a number of physicochemical properties that allow us to consider them as having biomedical applications in targeted drug delivery, prolonged drug release, and as therapeutic chemicals. In this context, some important POM properties should be noted: Keplerates dissolute in aqueous solutions, forming multicharged macroanions which can be transported in an electric field, and the ability to form in association with different organic substances, including biocompatible polymers. The current report contains the comprehensive results of investigations on the POM Keplerates Mo 132 and Mo 72 Fe 30 concerning: their toxicity (studied on the cell, organ and organism levels); the ability to conjugate with proteins, drugs, and vitamins (vitamin B 1 , insulin, antibiotic kanamycin A); transdermal iontophoretic transport of the aforementioned POM conjugates; the selective accumulation and influence of POM on normal and transformed cell cultures; the potential capability of histo-hematic barriers to be overpassed; and the influence on the erythropoiesis and cell membrane permeability of chemotherapeutic agents.