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

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. A supramolecular palladium complex (G-Pd) is formed through the self-assembly of the Pd-complex obtained by the coordination of guanidinium pillar[5]arene with Pd2+, which was used to encapsulate DOX (G-Pd@DOX) for cancer therapy.