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The antiproliferative properties and biological impact of octahedral iridium(III) complexes of the type fac-[IrCl3 (DMSO)(pp)] containing pp=phenanthroline (1) and its 4- and 5-methyl (2, 3) and 4,7- and 5,6-dimethyl derivatives (4, 5) were investigated for both adherent and non-adherent cells. A series of similar rhodium(III) complexes were studied for comparison purposes. The antiproliferative activity toward MCF-7 cancer cells increases eightfold from IC50=4.6 for 1 to IC50=0.60 μM for 5, and an even more pronounced 18-fold improvement was established for the analogous rhodium complexes 6 and 8, the respective IC50 values for which are 1.1 and 0.06 μM. Annexin V/propidium iodide assays demonstrated that the 5,6-dimethylphenanthroline complexes 5 and 8 both cause significant inhibition of Jurkat leukemia cell proliferation and invoke extensive apoptosis but negligible necrosis. The percentages of Jurkat cells exhibiting high levels of reactive oxygen species correlate with the percentages of cells undergoing apoptosis. The antiproliferative activity of 5 and 8 is strongly selective toward MCF-7 and HT-29 cancer cells over normal HFF-1 and immortalized HEK-293 cells. Complex 5 also exhibits high selectivity toward BJAB lymphoma cells relative to healthy leukocytes. Both 5 and 8 invoke permanent decreases in the adhesion and respiration of MCF-7 cells. Show less

The synthesis and characterization of a number of organometallic ruthenium(II) complexes containing a series of bidentate thiosemicarbazone ligands derived from piperonal is reported. The structure of compounds have been confirmed by spectroscopic analysis (IR and NMR) as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis of [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(pPhTSC)Cl]Cl (4) (pPhTSC is piperonal-N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazone). The interaction of the complexes ([(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(pEtTSC)Cl]Cl) (3) (pEtTSC is piperonal-N(4)-ethylthiosemicarbazone) and 4 with calf thymus DNA, human serum albumin (HSA) and pBR322 plasmid DNA were studied by spectroscopic, gel electrophoresis and hydrodynamic methods. The apparent binding constant for the interaction with DNA was determined to be 3.97×10³ M⁻¹ and 4.07×10³ M⁻¹ at 293 K for 3 and 4 respectively. The complexes bind strongly to HSA with binding constants of 2.94×10⁴ M⁻¹ and 12.2×10⁴ M⁻¹ at 296 K for 3 and 4 respectively. The in vitro anticancer activity of 3 and 4 has been evaluated against two human colon cancer cell line (HCT-116 and Caco-2) with IC50 values in the range of 26–150 μM. Both 3 and 4 show good activity as a catalytic inhibitor of human topoisomerase II at concentrations as low as 20 μM. The proficiency of 3 and 4 to act as antibacterial agents was also evaluated against six pathogenic bacterial strains with the best activity seen against Gram-positive strains. Show less

The low-spin 5d(6) Ir(III) organometallic half-sandwich complexes [(η(5)-Cp(x))Ir(XY)Cl](0/+), Cp(x) = Cp*, tetramethyl(phenyl)cyclopentadienyl (Cp(xph)), or tetramethyl(biphenyl)cyclopentadienyl (Cp(xbiph)), XY = 1,10-phenanthroline (4-6), 2,2'-bipyridine (7-9), ethylenediamine (10 and 11), or picolinate (12-14), hydrolyze rapidly. Complexes with N,N-chelating ligands readily form adducts with 9-ethylguanine but not 9-ethyladenine; picolinate complexes bind to both purines. Cytotoxic potency toward A2780 human ovarian cancer cells increases with phenyl substitution on Cp*: Cp(xbiph) > Cp(xph) > Cp*; Cp(xbiph) complexes 6 and 9 have submicromolar activity. Guanine residues are preferential binding sites for 4-6 on plasmid DNA. Hydrophobicity (log P), cell and nucleus accumulation of Ir correlate with cytotoxicity, 6 > 5 > 4; they distribute similarly within cells. The ability to displace DNA intercalator ethidium bromide from DNA correlates with cytotoxicity and viscosity of Ir-DNA adducts. The hydrophobicity and intercalative ability of Cp(xph) and Cp(xbiph) make a major contribution to the anticancer potency of their Ir(III) complexes. Show less

With the aim to develop more efficient, less toxic, target specific metal drugs and evaluate their anticancer properties in terms of oxidation state and co-ligand sphere, a sequence of Ru(II), Ru(III) complexes bearing 4-hydroxy-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and PPh(3)/AsPh(3) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Biological studies such as DNA binding, antioxidant assays and cytotoxic activity were carried out and their anticancer activities were evaluated. Interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA revealed that the triphenylphosphine complexes could bind more strongly than the triphenylarsine complexes. The free radical scavenging ability, assessed by a series of in vitro antioxidant assays involving DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical, superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide and metal chelating assay, showed that the Ru(III) complexes possess excellent radical scavenging properties compared to those of Ru(II). Cytotoxicity studies using three cancer lines viz HeLa, HepG2, HEp-2 and a normal cell line NIH 3T3 showed that Ru(II) complexes exhibited substantial cytotoxic specificity towards cancer cells. Furthermore, the Ru(II) complexes were found to be superior to Ru(III) complexes in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Show less

By controlled Anderson type rearrangement reactions complexes of the general formula trans-[Os(IV)Cl(4)(Hazole)(2)], where Hazole = 1H-pyrazole, 2H-indazole, 1H-imidazole, and 1H-benzimidazole, have been synthesized. Note that 2H-indazole tautomer stabilization in trans-[Os(IV)Cl(4)(2H-indazole)(2)] is unprecedented in coordination chemistry of indazole. The metal ion in these compounds possesses the same coordination environment as ruthenium(III) in (H(2)ind)[Ru(III)Cl(4)(Hind)(2)], where Hind = 1H-indazole, (KP1019), an investigational anticancer drug in phase I clinical trials. These osmium(IV) complexes are appropriate precursors for the synthesis of osmium(III) analogues of KP1019. In addition the formation of an adduct of trans-[Os(IV)Cl(4)(Hpz)(2)] with cucurbit[7]uril is described. The compounds have been comprehensively characterized by elemental analysis, EI and ESI mass spectrometry, spectroscopy (IR, UV-vis, 1D and 2D NMR), cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. Their antiproliferative acitivity in the human cancer cell lines CH1 (ovarian carcinoma), A549 (nonsmall cell lung carcinoma), and SW480 (colon carcinoma) is reported. Show less

A nonemissive cyclometalated iridium(III) solvent complex, without conjugation with a cell-penetrating molecular transporter, [Ir(ppy)(2)(DMSO)(2)](+)PF(6)(-) (LIr1), has been developed as a first reaction-based fluorescence-turn-on agent for the nuclei of living cells. LIr1 can rapidly and selectively light-up the nuclei of living cells over fixed cells, giving rise to a significant luminescence enhancement (200-fold), and shows very low cytotoxicity at the imaging concentration (incubation time <10 min, LIr1 concentration 10 μM). More importantly, in contrast to the reported nuclear stains that are based on luminescence enhancement through interaction with nucleic acids, complex LIr1 as a nuclear stain has a reaction-based mode of action, which relies on its rapid reaction with histidine/histidine-containing proteins. Cellular uptake of LIr1 has been investigated in detail under different conditions, such as at various temperatures, with hypertonic treatment, and in the presence of metabolic and endocytic inhibitors. The results have indicated that LIr1 permeates the outer and nuclear membranes of living cells through an energy-dependent entry pathway within a few minutes. As determined by an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AEC), LIr1 is accumulated in the nuclei of living cells and converted into an intensely emissive adduct. Such novel reaction-based nuclear staining for visualizing exclusively the nuclei of living cells with a significant luminescence enhancement may extend the arsenal of currently available fluorescent stains for specific staining of cellular compartments. Show less

We report the synthesis and characterisation of 32 half sandwich phenylazopyridine Os(II) arene complexes [Os(η(6)-arene)(phenylazopyridine)X](+) in which X is chloride or iodide, the arene is p-cymene or biphenyl and the pyridine and phenyl rings contain a variety of substituents (F, Cl, Br, I, CF(3), OH or NO(2)). Ten X-ray crystal structures have been determined. Cytotoxicity towards A2780 human ovarian cancer cells ranges from high potency at nanomolar concentrations to inactivity. In general the introduction of an electron-withdrawing group (e.g. F, Cl, Br or I) at specific positions on the pyridine ring significantly increases cytotoxic activity and aqueous solubility. Changing the arene from p-cymene to biphenyl and the monodentate ligand X from chloride to iodide also increases the activity significantly. Activation by hydrolysis and DNA binding appears not to be the major mechanism of action since both the highly active complex [Os(η(6)-bip)(2-F-azpy)I]PF(6) (9) and the moderately active complex [Os(η(6)-bip)(3-Cl-azpy)I]PF(6) (23) are very stable and inert towards aquation. Studies of octanol-water partition coefficients (log P) and subcellular distributions of osmium in A2780 human ovarian cancer cells suggested that cell uptake and targeting to cellular organelles play important roles in determining activity. Although complex 9 induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A2780 cells, the ROS level did not appear to play a role in the mechanism of anticancer activity. This class of organometallic osmium complexes has new and unusual features worthy of further exploration for the design of novel anticancer drugs. Show less

A series of luminescent cyclometalated iridium(III) polypyridine complexes containing a di-2-picolylamine (DPA) moiety [Ir(N^C)(2)(phen-DPA)](PF(6)) (phen-DPA = 5-(di-2-picolylamino)-1,10-phenanthroline) (HN^C = 2-phenylpyridine, Hppy (1a), 2-(4-methylphenyl)pyridine, Hmppy (2a), 2-phenylquinoline, Hpq (3a), 4-(2-pyridyl)benzaldehyde, Hpba (4a)) and their DPA-free counterparts [Ir(N^C)(2)(phen-DMA)](PF(6)) (phen-DMA = 5-(dimethylamino)-1,10-phenanthroline) (HN^C = Hppy (1b), Hmppy (2b), Hpq (3b), Hpba (4b)) have been synthesized and characterized, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties investigated. Photoexcitation of the complexes in fluid solutions at 298 K and in alcohol glass at 77 K resulted in intense and long-lived luminescence. The emission of the complexes has been assigned to a triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) (dπ(Ir) → π*(N^N)) or triplet intraligand ((3)IL) (π → π*) (N^C) excited state and with substantial mixing of triplet amine-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)NLCT) (n → π*) (N^N) character, depending on the identity of the cyclometalating and diimine ligands. Electrochemical measurements revealed an irreversible amine oxidation wave at ca. +1.1 to +1.2 V vs saturated calomel electrode, a quasi-reversible iridium(IV/III) couple at ca. +1.2 to +1.6 V, and a reversible diimine reduction couple at ca. -1.4 to -1.5 V. The cation-binding properties of these complexes have been studied by emission spectroscopy. Upon binding of zinc ion, the iridium(III) DPA complexes displayed 1.2- to 5.4-fold emission enhancement, and the K(d) values determined were on the order of 10(-5) M. Job's plot analysis confirmed that the binding stoichiometry was 1:1. Additionally, selectivity studies showed that the iridium(III) DPA complexes were more sensitive toward zinc ion among various transition metal ions examined. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these complexes toward human cervix epithelioid carcinoma cells have been studied by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and their cellular-uptake properties by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Show less

Six organometallic complexes of the general formula [M(II)Cl(η(6)-p-cymene)(L)]Cl, where M = Ru (11a, 12a, 13a) or Os (11b, 12b, 13b) and L = 3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines (L1-L3) have been synthesized. The latter are known as potential cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors. All compounds have been comprehensively characterized by elemental analysis, one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography (11b and 12b). The multistep synthesis of 3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines (L1-L3), which was reported by other researchers, has been modified by us essentially (e.g., the synthesis of 5-bromo-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (3) via 5-bromo-3-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine (2); the synthesis of 1-methoxymethyl-2,3-diaminobenzene (5) by avoiding the use of unstable 2,3-diaminobenzyl alcohol; and the activation of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acids (1, 3) through the use of an inexpensive coupling reagent, N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI)). Stabilization of the 7b tautomer of methoxymethyl-substituted L3 by coordination to a metal(II) center, as well as the NMR spectroscopic characterization of two tautomers 7b-L3 and 4b'-L3 in a metal-free state are described. Structure-activity relationships with regard to cytotoxicity and cell cycle effects in human cancer cells, as well as Cdk inhibitory activity, are also reported. Show less

The novel steroidal conjugate 17-α-[2-phenylpyridyl-4-ethynyl]-19-nortestosterone (LEV-ppy) (1) and the steroid-C,N-chelate ruthenium(II) conjugate [Ru(η(6)-p-cymene)(LEV-ppy)Cl] (2) have been prepared. At 48 h incubation time, complex 2 is more active than cisplatin (about 8-fold) in T47D (breast cancer) and also shows an improved efficiency when compared to its nonsteroidal analogue [Ru(η(6)-p-cymene)(ppy)Cl] (ppy = phenylpyridine) (3) in the same cell line. The act of conjugating a levonorgestrel group to a ruthenium(II) complex resulted in synergistic effects between the metallic center and the steroidal ligand, creating highly potent ruthenium(II) complexes from the inactive components. The interaction of 2 with DNA was followed by electrophoretic mobility. Theoretical density functional theory calculations on complex 2 show the metal center far away from the lipophilic steroidal moiety and a labile Ru-Cl bond that allows easy replacement of Cl by N-nucleophiles such as 9-EtG, thus forming a stronger Ru-N bond. We also found a minimum energy location for the chloride counteranion (4(+)·Cl(-)) inside the pseudocavity formed by the α side of the steroid moiety, the phenylpyridine chelating subsystem, and the guanine ligand, i.e., a host-guest species with a rich variety of nonbonding interactions that include nonclassical C-H···anion bonds, as supported by electrospray ionization mass spectra. Show less

The binding properties of [Ru(bpy)(2)(H(2)IIP)](2+) (1) {bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, H(2)IIP=2-(indole-3-yl)-imidazolo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and yeast tRNA have been investigated comparatively by different spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the affinity of complex 1 binding with yeast tRNA is stronger than that of complex 1 binding with CT-DNA, and complex 1 is a better enantioselective binder to yeast tRNA than to CT-DNA. The toxicity of complex 1 was concentration dependent, and HL-60 cells are more sensitive to complex 1 than Hep-G2 cells; complex 1 could induce Hep-G2 cell apoptosis. Show less

A structurally diverse range of lipophilic, cationic η(6)-arene η(5)-cyclopentadienyl (η(5)-Cp*) full-sandwich complexes of ruthenium(II) have been prepared and structurally characterized by Fourier-transform IR and NMR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, and elemental microanalyses. Computational experiments incorporating the Hartree-Fock theory and the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory predict each complex to possess a uniform δ+ electrostatic potential, with the cationic charge of the [RuCp*](+) moiety completely delocalizing throughout the molecular structure of each metallocene. In vitro cytotoxicity studies demonstrate these delocalized lipophilic cations to be potent growth inhibitors of eleven unique tumorigenic cell lines, while exhibiting significantly lower levels of toxicity towards both a normal human fibroblast and a mouse macrophage cell line. Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations are additionally reported for five complexes, [Ru(η(6)-C(6)H(5)(CH(2))(2)CH(3))(η(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5))]BPh(4), [Ru(η(6)-C(6)H(5)CO(2)CH(2)CH(3))(η(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5))]BF(4), [Ru(η(6)-C(10)H(8))(η(5)-(5) (CH(3))(5))]BPh(4), [Ru(η(6)-C(14)H(10))(η(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5))]BPh(4), and [Ru(η(6)-C(16)H(10))(η(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5))]BPh(4). Show less

Ru(II)(arene) anticancer compounds with maleimide functionality were prepared to allow selective interaction with thiol-containing biomolecules and thereby enforcing the selective delivery of the compounds to the tumour. Show less

With the aim of exploring the anticancer properties of organometallic compounds with bioactive ligands, Ru(arene) compounds of the antibacterial quinolones nalidixic acid (2) and cinoxacin (3) were synthesized, and their physicochemical properties were compared to those of chlorido(η(6)-p-cymene)(ofloxacinato-κ(2)O,O)ruthenium(II) (1). All compounds undergo a rapid ligand exchange reaction from chlorido to aqua species. 2 and 3 are significantly more stable than 1 and undergo minor conversion to an unreactive [(cym)Ru(μ-OH)(3)Ru(cym)](+) species (cym = η(6)-p-cymene). In the presence of human serum albumin 1-3 form adducts with this transport protein within 20 min of incubation. With guanosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP; as a simple model for reactions with DNA) very rapid reactions yielding adducts via its N7 atom were observed, illustrating that DNA is a possible target for this compound class. A moderate capacity of inhibiting tumor cell proliferation in vitro was observed for 1 in CH1 ovarian cancer cells, whereas 2 and 3 turned out to be inactive. Show less

Bifunctional neutral half-sandwich Ru^II complexes of the type [(η⁶-arene)Ru(NH₃)Cl₂] where arene is p-cym (1) or bip (2) were synthesised by the reaction of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (dmba), NH₄PF₆ and the corresponding Ru^II arene dimer, and were fully characterised. X-ray crystallographic studies of [(η⁶-p-cym)Ru(NH₃)Cl₂]·{(dmba-H)(PF₆)} (1a) and [(η⁶-bip)Ru(NH₃)Cl₂] (2) show extensive H-bond interactions in the solid state, mainly involving the NH₃ and the Cl ligands, as well as weak aromatic stacking interactions. The half-lives for the sequential hydrolysis of 1 and 2 determined by UV/Vis spectroscopy at 310 K ranged from a few minutes for the first aquation to ca. 45 min for the second aquation; the diaqua adducts were the predominant species at equilibrium. Arene loss during the aquation of complex 2 was observed. Upon hydrolysis, both complexes readily formed mono- and di-9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) adducts in aqueous solution at 310 K. The reaction reached equilibrium after ca. 1.8 h in the case of complex 1 and was slower but more complete for complex 2 (before the onset of arene loss at ca. 2.7 h). Complexes 1 and 2 were not cytotoxic towards A2780 human ovarian cancer cells up to the maximum concentration tested (100 μM). Show less

Two new ruthenium complexes, trans,cis,cis-[RuCl2(DMSO)2(H2biim)] (1) and mer-[RuCl3(DMSO)(H2biim)] (2) (DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide and H2biim=2,2'-biimidazole), have been synthesized and fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The less stable complex 2 is more cytotoxic against the four human cancer cell lines tested than 1. Further studies show that 1 and 2 exhibit cell growth inhibition by triggering G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Additionally, complex 2 exerts potent inhibitory effects on the adhesion and migration of human cancer cells comparable to that of NAMI-A ([ImH][trans-[RuCl4(Im)(DMSO-S)], Im=imidazole). Target validation studies show that cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), other than DNA, are more likely to be targets of 1 and 2. Show less

A new class of luminescent cyclometalated iridium(III) polypyridine fluorous complexes has been designed; the fluorous pendant not only plays an important role in the photophysical and biological properties of the complexes, but also allows the facile isolation of biomolecules labeled with these complexes with fluorous solid-phase extraction (FSPE). Show less

In this study, two isomeric ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(p-mopip)](2+) (1) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(o-mopip)](2+) (2) (bpy = 2, 2-bipyridine; L: p-mopip = 2-(4-methoxylphenyl) imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, o-mopip = 2-(2-methoxylphenyl) imidazo[4,5-f][1,10] phenan-throline) contained -OCH(3) at different positions on the phenyl ring and their enantiomers Λ-1, -2 and Δ-1, -2 displayed different properties. The cell viability of these ruthenium(II) complexes was evaluated by MTT, and complex Λ-1 has shown significant higher anticancer potency than Δ-1 against all the cell lines screened. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analyses demonstrated that complex Λ-1 was able to induce apoptosis. The interactions of complexes Λ-1, 1, and Δ-1 with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of BSA by complexes Λ-1, 1, and Δ-1 was determined to be a static process, and the apparent binding constant K(a) values is as follows: Λ-1 >1 > Δ-1. The number of binding sites n for all these complexes was 1. The result of CD showed that the secondary structure of BSA molecules was changed in the presence of the ruthenium(II) complex. Show less

Following our strategy of coupling cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors with organometallic moieties to improve their physicochemical properties and bioavailability, five organoruthenium complexes (1c-5c) of the general formula [RuCl(η(6)-arene)(L)]Cl have been synthesized in which the arene is 4-formylphenoxyacetyl-η(6)-benzylamide and L is a Cdk inhibitor [3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines (L1-L3) and indolo[3,2-d]benzazepines (L4 and L5)]. All of the compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Upon prolonged standing (2-3 months) at room temperature, the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions of 1c and 2c(-HCl) afforded residues, which after recrystallization from EtOH and EtOH/H(2)O, respectively, were shown by X-ray diffraction to be cis,cis-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(DMSO)(2)(L1)]·H(2)O and mer-[Ru(II)Cl(DMSO)(3)(L2-H)]·H(2)O. Compound 5c, with a coordinated amidine unit, undergoes E/Z isomerization in solution. The antiproliferative activities and effects on the cell cycle of the new compounds were evaluated. Complexes 1c-5c are moderately cytotoxic to cancer cells (CH1, SW480, A549, A2780, and A2780cisR cell lines). Therefore, in order to improve their antiproliferative effects, as well as their drug targeting and delivery to cancer cells, 1c-5c were conjugated to recombinant human serum albumin, potentially exploiting the so-called "enhanced permeability and retention" effect that results in the accumulation of macromolecules in tumors. Notably, a marked increase in cytotoxicity of the albumin conjugates was observed in all cases. Show less

This study describes the synthesis of a new ruthenium nitrosyl complex with the formula [RuCl(2)NO(BPA)] [BPA = (2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-methylpyridyl)amine ion], which was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography, and theoretical calculation data. The biological studies of this complex included in vitro cytotoxic assays, which revealed its activity against two different tumor cell lines (HeLa and Tm5), with efficacy comparable to that of cisplatin, a metal-based drug that is administered in clinical treatment. The in vivo studies showed that [RuCl(2)NO(BPA)]is effective in reducing tumor mass. Also, our results suggest that the mechanism of action of [RuCl(2)NO(BPA)] includes binding to DNA, causing fragmentation of this biological molecule, which leads to apoptosis. Show less

The cellular uptake and subcellular distribution including adduct formation with genomic DNA and uptake into mitochondria of two ruthenium(iii)-based drugs in clinical trials, KP1019 and NAMI-A, and cisplatin, was investigated in cisplatin sensitive and resistant A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells. These data indicate that reduced metal uptake into mitochondria in combination with increased binding towards low molecular weight components involved in detoxification mechanisms is essential for cisplatin resistance. The ruthenium drugs show distinct differences with respect to cisplatin, especially in the cisplatin resistant cells; in comparison to the sensitive cells, KP1019 exhibits higher cytotoxicity and an only slightly changed metabolism of the drug, whereas NAMI-A treatment results in increased intracellular ruthenium levels and a higher number of ruthenium-DNA adducts. In addition, size exclusion-inductively coupled mass spectrometry indicates that adduct formation with high molecular weight components in the particulate and nuclear fractions is crucial for the therapeutic effect of KP1019 in both cisplatin resistant and sensitive cell lines. Show less

Luminescent dendritic cyclometalated iridium(III) polypyridine complexes [{Ir(N--C)(2)}(n)(bpy-n)](PF(6))(n) (HN--C = 2-phenylpyridine, Hppy, n = 8 (ppy-8), 4 (ppy-4), 3 (ppy-3); HN--C = 2-phenylquinoline, Hpq, n = 8 (pq-8), 4 (pq-4), 3 (pq-3)) have been designed and synthesized. The properties of these dendrimers have been compared to those of their monomeric counterparts [Ir(N--C)(2)(bpy-1)](PF(6)) (HN--C = Hppy (ppy-1), Hpq (pq-1)). Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed that the iridium(IV/III) oxidation and bpy-based reduction occurred at about +1.24 to +1.29 V and -1.21 to -1.27 V versus SCE, respectively, for all the complexes. The molar absorptivity of the dendritic iridium(III) complexes is approximately proportional to the number of [Ir(N--C)(2)(N--N)] moieties in one complex molecule. However, the emission lifetimes and quantum yields are relatively independent of the number of [Ir(N--C)(2)(N--N)] units, suggesting negligible electronic communications between these units. Upon photoexcitation, the complexes displayed triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) (dpi(Ir) --> pi*(bpy-n)) emission. The interaction of these complexes with plasmid DNA has been investigated by agarose gel retardation assays. The results showed that the dendritic iridium(III) complexes, unlike their monomeric counterparts, bound to the plasmid, and the interaction was electrostatic in nature. The lipophilicity of all the complexes has been determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, the cellular uptake of the complexes by the human cervix epithelioid carcinoma (HeLa) cell line has been examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), laser-scanning confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. Upon internalization, all the complexes were localized in the perinuclear region, forming very sharp luminescent rings surrounding the nuclei. Interestingly, in addition to these rings, HeLa cells treated with the dendritic iridium(III) complexes showed specific labeled compartments, which have been identified to be the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these iridium(III) complexes has been evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Show less

A new ligand DBHIP and its two ruthenium (II) complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(DBHIP)](ClO(4))(2) (1) and [Ru(phen)(2)(DBHIP)](ClO(4))(2) (2) have been synthesized and characterized. The binding behaviors of the two complexes to calf thymus DNA were investigated by absorption spectra, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation and photoactivated cleavage. The DNA-binding constants for complexes 1 and 2 have been determined to be 8.87+/-0.27 x 10(4)M(-1) (s=1.83) and 1.32+/-0.31 x 10(5)M(-1) (s=1.84). The results suggest that these complexes interact with DNA through intercalative mode. The cytotoxicity of DBHIP, complexes 1 and 2 has been evaluated by MTT assay. The apoptosis assay was carried out with acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining methods. The studies on the mechanism of photocleavage demonstrate that superoxide anion radical (O(2)(-)) and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) may play an important role. Show less