👤 Jernigan KL

Three new bis(2,2'-bipyridine)-heteroleptic Ru(II) dyads incorporating thienyl groups (n = 1-3, compounds 1, 2 and 3, respectively) appended to 1,10-phenanthroline were synthesized and characterized to investigate the impact of n on the photophysical and photobiological properties within the series. All three complexes showed unstructured emission near 618 nm from a triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³ MLCT) state with a lifetime (τ_em ) of approximately 1 μs. Transient absorption measurements revealed an additional excited state that was nonemissive and long-lived (τ_TA  = 43 μs for 2 and 27 μs for 3), assigned as a triplet intraligand (³ IL) state that was accessible only in 2 and 3. All three complexes were strong singlet oxygen (¹ O₂ ) sensitizers, with quantum yields (Φ_∆ ) for 2 and 3 being the largest (74-78%), and all three were photocytotoxic to cancer cells with visible light activation in the order: 3 > 2 > 1. Cell-free DNA photodamage followed the same trend, where potency increased with decreasing ³ IL energy. Compounds 2 and 3 also showed in vitro photobiological effects with red light (625 nm), where their molar absorptivities were <100 m^-1  cm^-1 . These findings highlight that Ru(II) dyads derived from α-oligothiophenes directly appended to 1,10-phenanthroline-namely 2 and 3-possess low-lying ³ IL states that are highly photosensitizing, and they may therefore be of interest for photobiological applications such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Show less

The photophysical and photobiological properties of a new class of cyclometalated ruthenium(II) compounds incorporating π-extended benzo[ h]imidazo[4,5- f]quinoline (IBQ) cyclometalating ligands (C^N) bearing thienyl rings ( n = 1-4, compounds 1-4) were investigated. Their octanol-water partition coefficients (log P_o/w) were positive and increased with n. Their absorption and emission energies were red-shifted substantially compared to the analogous Ru(II) diimine (N^N) complexes. They displayed C^N-based intraligand (IL) fluorescence and triplet excited-state absorption that shifted to longer wavelengths with increasing n and N^N-based metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) phosphorescence that was independent of n. Their photoluminescence lifetimes (τ_em) ranged from 4-10 ns for ¹IL states and 12-18 ns for ³MLCT states. Transient absorption lifetimes (τ_TA) were 5-8 μs with 355 nm excitation, ascribed to ³IL states that became inaccessible for 1-3 with 532 nm excitation (1-3, τ_TA = 16-17 ns); the ³IL of 4 only was accessible by lower energy excitation, τ_TA = 3.8 μs. Complex 4 was nontoxic (EC₅₀ > 300 μM) to SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells and CCD1064-Sk normal skin fibroblasts in the dark, while 3 was selectively cytotoxic to melanoma (EC₅₀= 5.1 μM) only. Compounds 1 and 2 were selective for melanoma cells in the dark, with submicromolar potencies (EC₅₀ = 350-500 nM) and selectivity factors (SFs) around 50. The photocytotoxicities of compounds 1-4 toward melanoma cells were similar, but only compounds 3 and 4 displayed significant phototherapeutic indices (PIs; 3, 43; 4, >1100). The larger cytotoxicities for compounds 1 and 2 were attributed to increased cellular uptake and nuclear accumulation, and possibly related to the DNA-aggregating properties of all four compounds as demonstrated by cell-free gel mobility-shift assays. Together, these results demonstrate a new class of thiophene-containing Ru(II) cyclometalated compounds that contain both highly selective chemotherapeutic agents and extremely potent photocytotoxic agents. Show less

Metallo prodrugs that take advantage of the inherent acidity surrounding cancer cells have yet to be developed. We report a new class of pH-activated metallo prodrugs (pHAMPs) that are activated by light- and pH-triggered ligand dissociation. These ruthenium complexes take advantage of a key characteristic of cancer cells and hypoxic solid tumors (acidity) that can be exploited to lessen the side effects of chemotherapy. Five ruthenium complexes of the type [(N,N)₂Ru(PL)]²⁺ were synthesized, fully characterized, and tested for cytotoxicity in cell culture (1_A: N,N = 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) and PL, the photolabile ligand, = 6,6'-dihydroxybipyridine (6,6'-dhbp); 2_A: N,N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and PL = 6,6'-dhbp; 3_A: N,N = 2,3-dihydro-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline (dop) and PL = 6,6'-dhbp; 4_A: N,N = bipy and PL = 4,4'-dimethyl-6,6'-dihydroxybipyridine (dmdhbp); 5_A: N,N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and PL = 4,4'-dihydroxybipyridine (4,4'-dhbp). The thermodynamic acidity of these complexes was measured in terms of two pK_a values for conversion from the acidic form (X_A) to the basic form (X_B) by removal of two protons. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data is discussed for 2_A, 2_B, 3_A, 4_B, and 5_A. All complexes except 5_A showed measurable photodissociation with blue light (λ = 450 nm). For complexes 1_A-4_A and their deprotonated analogues (1_B-4_B), the protonated form (at pH 5) consistently gave faster rates of photodissociation and larger quantum yields for the photoproduct, [(N,N)₂Ru(H₂O)₂]²⁺. This shows that low pH can lead to greater rates of photodissociation. Cytotoxicity studies with 1_A-5_A showed that complex 3_A is the most cytotoxic complex of this series with IC₅₀ values as low as 4 μM (with blue light) versus two breast cancer cell lines. Complex 3_A is also selectively cytotoxic, with sevenfold higher toxicity toward cancerous versus normal breast cells. Phototoxicity indices with 3_A were as high as 120, which shows that dark toxicity is avoided. The key difference between complex 3_A and the other complexes tested appears to be higher uptake of the complex as measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a more hydrophobic complex as compared to 1_A, which may enhance uptake. These complexes demonstrate proof of concept for dual activation by both low pH and blue light, thus establishing that a pHAMP approach can be used for selective targeting of cancer cells. Show less

The first examples of Ru^II and Rh^III piano-stool complex histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are presented. The novel complexes have antiproliferative activity against H460 non-small-cell lung carcinoma cells that is comparable to the clinically used HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Strong evidence for HDAC inhibition as a primary mechanism of action is provided. The complexes reported here represent an important step towards the design of highly active and selective HDAC inhibitors. Show less

Three new ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(phen)2BrIPC](2+) (1), [Ru(bpy)2 BrIPC](2+) (2) and [Ru(dmb)2BrIPC](2+) (3) where, BrIPC = (6-bromo-3-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1,10]-phenanthroline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2' bipyridine, dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl 2,2' bipyridine, were synthesised and characterised. DNA-binding nature was investigated by spectroscopic titrations and mode of binding was assessed by viscosity measurements. The DNA-binding constants Kb of complexes 1, 2 and 3 were determined to be in the order of 10(5). Experimental results showed that these complexes interact with CT-DNA by intercalative mode. Photocleavage and antimicrobial activities were complex concentration dependent, at high concentration, high activity and vice versa. MTT assay was performed on HeLa cell lines, IC50 values of complexes in the order of 3 > 2 > 1 > cisplatin. From comet assay, cellular uptake studies, we observed that complexes could enter into the cell membrane and accumulate inside the nucleus. Molecular docking studies support the DNA binding affinity with hydrogen bonding and van der Waals attractions between base pairs and phosphate backbone of DNA with metal complexes. Show less