👤 Ma FE

Ruthenium(II) complexes (Ru1-Ru3) with the general formula [Ru(O-O)(PPh₃)₂(bipy)]PF_6, bearing two triphenylphosphine (PPh₃), bipyridine (bipy) and a series of natural and synthetic β-diketones (O,O) ligands were synthesized and characterized using various analytical techniques. The interaction between the complexes and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated and demonstrated a weak interaction. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was investigated against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7), lung cancer cells (A549), cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (A2780cis), as well as non-tumour lung (MRC-5) and non-tumour breast (MCF-10A) cell lines. All complexes exhibited cytotoxic activity against all the cell lines studied, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values ranging from 0.39 to 13 µM. Notably, the three complexes demonstrated selectivity against the A2780cis cell line, with IC₅₀ ranging from 0.39 to 0.82 µM. Among them, Ru2 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.39 µM. Consequently, this new class of complexes shows good selectivity towards cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells and it is promising for further investigation as anti-cancer agents. Show less

A series of 2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives and their rhodium (III) complexes were designed and synthesized. All the rhodium (III) complexes exhibited higher in vitro cytotoxicity for Hep G2, HeLa 229, MGC80-3, and NCI-H460 human tumor cell lines than their ligands and cisplatin, and among them complex 9 was found to be selectively cytotoxic to tumor cells. Further investigation revealed that complex 9 caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis, and inhibited the proliferation of Hep G2 cells by impeding the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream enzymes. Complex 9 also up-regulated the proapoptotic proteins Bak, Bax, and Bim, which altogether activated caspase-3/9 to initiate cell apoptosis. Notably, complex 9 effectively inhibited tumor growth in the NCI-H460 xenograft mouse model with less adverse effect than cisplatin. Show less

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes show great promise as new photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents. However, a lack of detailed understanding of their mode of action in cells poses a challenge to their development. We have designed a new Ru(II) PDT candidate that efficiently enters cells by incorporation of the lipophilic aromatic pdppz ([2,3-h]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) ligand and exhibits photoactivity through incorporation of 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene ancillary ligands. Its photoreactivity toward biomolecules was studied in vitro, where light activation caused DNA cleavage. Cellular internalization occurred via an energy dependent mechanism. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the complex localizes in various organelles, including the mitochondria. The complex is nontoxic in the dark, with cellular clearance within 96 h; however, upon visible light activation it induces caspase-dependent and reactive-oxygen-species-dependent apoptosis, with low micromolar IC50 values. This investigation greatly increases our understanding of such systems in cellulo, aiding development and realization of their application in cancer therapy. Show less

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterisation and biological evaluation of mono- and bis-1,8-naphthalimide-conjugated ruthenium(ii)-polypyridyl complexes is presented. Spectroscopic DNA titrations, together with denaturation studies, show strong binding of both species to DNA through the naphthalimide arms. Linear and circular dichroism (LD and CD) spectroscopy reveal close association of the Ru(bpy)3(2+) core with DNA in the case of the mono-naphthalamide complex, [Ru(bpy)2(bpy-NAP)](2+). Significantly, binding by the second naphthalimide arm in the [Ru(bpy)2(bpy-NAP2)](2+) complex is found to displace the Ru(bpy)3(2+) centre from the DNA backbone. This 'negative allosteric effect' is found to have a dramatic influence on the photoinduced damage of plasmid DNA, and the viability of HeLa cancer cells upon photoactivation. Overall the study clearly maps and correlates the relationship between molecular structure, in vitro binding and activity, and in cellulo function. Show less