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The four-body distorted-wave approximation (DW-4B) is used to investigate the electron removal from water molecules by the impact of hydrogen-like projectiles. The incident energy is considered in a range of 20 to 2000 keV/amu. Our goal is to establish the relative importance of the intermediate ionization continua of the active electron and the electron–electron correlations. The calculations are based on the independent electron model. The description of initial ground state molecular orbitals of water are described by a complete-neglect-of-differential-overlap method based on the linear combination of atomic orbitals. Numerical results for the total cross sections are compared with other results and found to be in good agreement with the available experimental findings. Differentiation between the reactions of single-electron ionization and single-electron capture in electron removal process as a function of impact energies is also analyzed. Finally, the dependence of cross sections regarding electron removal on different descriptions of molecular orbitals as well as the simplest additivity rule are discussed. • Four body distorted-wave model is used to study the electron removal process. • Theoretical cross sections data about the ionization and capture are needed in fundamental studies of charged particle interaction in biological matter. • Dressed projectile effects the cross sections of electron ionization and electron capture. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we have investigated distributions of rapidity gaps between particles produced inO-Ag/Br andS-Ag/Br interactions at 60 AGeV/c and 200 AGeV/c, respectively, using as the main tool the many-particle rapidity correlation function. The experimental data have been compared with the Monte Carlo simulated values to search for true dynamical correlation in each case. The existence of many-particle correlation is observed in both cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical technique for the treatment of cancer. It is based on the use of non-toxic molecules, called photosensitizers (PSs), that become toxic when irradiated with light and produce reactive oxygen specious (ROS) such as singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ). This light-induced toxicity is rather selective since the physician only targets a specific area of the body, leading to minimal side effects. Yet, a strategy to improve further the selectivity of this medical technique is to confine the delivery of the PS to cancer cells only instead of spreading it randomly throughout the body prior to light irradiation. To address this problem, we present here novel sulfonamide-based monopodal and dipodal ruthenium and osmium polypyridyl complexes capable of targeting carbonic anhydrases (CAs) that are a major target in cancer therapy. CAs are overexpressed in the membrane or cytoplasm of various cancer cells. We therefore anticipated that the accumulation of our complexes in or outside the cell prior to irradiation would improve the selectivity of the PDT treatment. We show that our complexes have a high affinity for CAs, accumulate in cancer cells overexpressing CA cells and importantly kill cancer cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions upon irradiation at 540 nm. More importantly, Os(ii) compounds still exhibit some phototoxicity under 740 nm irradiation under normoxic conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first description of ruthenium/osmium-based PDT PSs that are CA inhibitors for the selective treatment of cancers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Eight rhenium(I) tricarbonyl aqua complexes with the general formula fac -[Re(CO) 3 ( N,N '-bid)(H 2 O)][NO 3 ] ( 1-8 ), where N,N '-bid is (2,6-dimethoxypyridyl)imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L1 ), (indole)imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L2 ), (5-methoxyindole)-imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L3 ), (biphenyl)imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L4 ), (fluorene)imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L5 ), (benzo[ b ]thiophene)imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L6 ), (5-bromothiazole)imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L7 ), and (4,5-dimethylthiophene)imidazo[4,5- f ]1,10-phenanthroline ( L8 ), were synthesized and characterized using 1 H and 13 C{ 1 H} NMR, FT-IR, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and ESI-mass spectrometry, and their purity was confirmed by elemental analysis. The stability of the complexes in aqueous buffer solution (pH 7.4) was confirmed by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of the complexes ( 1-8 ) was then evaluated on prostate cancer cells (PC3), showing a low nanomolar to low micromolar in vitro cytotoxicity. Worthy of note, three of the Re(I) tricarbonyl complexes showed very low (IC 50 = 30-50 nM) cytotoxic activity against PC3 cells and up to 26-fold selectivity over normal human retinal pigment epithelial-1 (RPE-1) cells. The cytotoxicity of both complexes 3 and 6 was lowered under hypoxic conditions in PC3 cells. However, the compounds were still 10 times more active than cisplatin in these conditions. Additional biological experiments were then performed on the most selective complexes (complexes 3 and 6 ). Cell fractioning experiments followed by ICP-MS studies revealed that 3 and 6 accumulate mostly in the mitochondria and nucleus, respectively. Despite the respective mitochondrial and nuclear localization of 3 and 6 , 3 did not trigger the apoptosis pathways for cell killing, whereas 6 can trigger apoptosis but not as a major pathway. Complex 3 induced a paraptosis pathway for cell killing while 6 did not induce any of our other tested pathways, namely, necrosis, paraptosis, and autophagy. Both complexes 3 and 6 were found to be involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and downregulated the ATP production of PC3 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this report presents some of the most cytotoxic Re(I) carbonyl complexes with exceptionally low nanomolar cytotoxic activity toward prostate cancer cells, demonstrating further the future viability of utilizing rhenium in the fight against cancer.

Eight new ruthenium(II) complexes of N , N -chelating pyrazolylbenzimidazole ligands of the general formula [Ru II ( p -cym)(L)X] + [where the ligand L is 2-(1 H -pyrazol-1-yl)-1 H -benzo[ d ]imidazole ( L1 ) substituted at the 4 position of the pyrazole ring by Cl ( L2 ), Br ( L3 ), or I ( L4 ) and X = Cl - and I - ] were synthesized and characterized using various analytical techniques. Complexes 1 and 3 were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and they crystallized as a monoclinic crystal system in space groups P 2 1 / n and P 2 1 / c , respectively. The complexes display good solution stability at physiological pH 7.4. The iodido-coordinated pyrazolylbenzimidazole ruthenium(II) p -cymene complexes ( 2 , 4 , 6 , and 8 ) are more resistant toward hydrolysis and have less tendency to form monoaquated complexes in comparison to their chlorido analogues ( 1 , 3 , 5 , and 7 ). The halido-substituted 2-(1 H -pyrazol-1-yl)-1 H -benzo[ d ]imidazole ligands, designed as organic-directing molecules, inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) phosphorylation. In addition, the ruthenium(II) complexes display a potential to bind to DNA bases. The cytotoxicity profile of the complexes (IC 50 ca. 9-12 μM for 4 - 8 ) against the triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) show that most of the complexes are efficient. The lipophilicity and cellular accumulation data of the complexes show a good correlation with the cytotoxicity profile of 1 - 8 . The representative complexes 3 and 7 demonstrate the capability of arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase and induce apoptosis. The inhibition of VEGFR2 phosphorylation with the representative ligands L2 and L4 and the corresponding metal complexes 3 and 7 in vitro shows that the organic-directing ligands and their complexes inhibit VEGFR2 phosphorylation. Besides, L2 , L4 , 3 , and 7 inhibit the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase (Src), capable of acting downstream of VEGFR2 as well as independently. Compounds L2 , L4 , 3 , and 7 have a lesser effect on ERK1/2 and more prominently affect Src phosphorylation. We extended the study for L2 and 3 in the Tg(fli1:gfp) zebrafish model and found that L2 is more effective in vivo compared to 3 in inhibiting angiogenesis.

Half-sandwich Ru II complexes, [(YZ)Ru II (η 6 -arene)(X)]+, (YZ=chelating bidentate ligand, X=halide), with N,N and N,O coordination (1-9) show significant antiproliferative activity against the metastatic triple-negative breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231). 3-aminobenzoic acid or its methyl ester is used in all the ligands while varying the aldehyde for N,N and N,O coordination. In the N,N coordinated complex the coordinated halide(X) is varied for enhancing stability in solution (X=Cl, I). Rapid aquation and halide exchange of the pyridine analogues, 2 and 3, in solution are a major bane towards their antiproliferative activity. Presence of free -COOH group (1 and 4) make complexes hydrophilic and reduces toxicity. The imidazolyl 3-aminobenzoate based N,N coordinated 5 and 6 display better solution stability and efficient antiproliferative activity (IC 50 ca. 2.3-2.5 μM) compared to the pyridine based 2 and 3 (IC 50 >100 μM) or the N,O coordinated complexes (7-9) (IC 50 ca. 7-10 μM). The iodido coordinated, 6, is resistant towards aquation and halide exchange. The N,O coordinated 7-9 underwent instantaneous aquation at pH 7.4 generating monoaquated complexes stable for at least 6 h. Complexes 5 and 6, bind to 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) showing propensity to interact with DNA bases. The complexes may kill via apoptosis as displayed from the study of 8. The change in coordination mode and the aldehyde affected the solution stability, antiproliferative activity and mechanistic pathways. The N,N coordinated (5 and 6) exhibit arrest in the G2/M phase while the N,O coordinated 8 showed arrest in the G0/G1 phase., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a remarkable alternative or complementary technique to chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy to treat certain forms of cancer. The synergistic effect of light, photosensitizer (PS) and oxygen allows for the treatment of tumours with an extremely high spatio-tumoral control, therefore minimizing the severe side effects usually observed in chemotherapy. The currently employed PDT PSs based on porphyrins have, in some cases, some limitations, which include a low absorbance in the therapeutic window, a low body clearance, photobleaching, among others. In this context, Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes are interesting alternatives. They have low lying excited energy states and the presence of a heavy metal increases the possibility of spin-orbit coupling. Moreover, their photophysical properties are relatively easy to tune and they have very low photobleaching rates. All of these make them attractive candidates for further development as therapeutically suitable PDT PSs. In this review, after having presented this field of research, we discuss the developments made by our group in this field of research since 2017. We notably describe how we tuned the photophysical properties of our complexes from the visible region to the therapeutically suitable red region. This was accompanied by the preparation of PSs with enhanced phototoxicity and high phototoxicity index. We also discuss the use of two-photon excitation to eradicate tumours in nude mice. Furthermore, we describe our approach for the selective delivery of our complexes using targeting agents. Lastly, we report on our very recent synergistic approach to treat cancer using bimetallic Ru(ii)-Pt(iv) prodrug candidates.

Morpholine motif is an important pharmacophore and, depending on the molecular design, may localize in cellular acidic vesicles. To understand the importance of the presence of pendant morpholine in a metal complex, six bidentate N,O-donor ligands with or without a pendant morpholine unit and their corresponding ruthenium(II) p -cymene complexes ( 1 - 6 ) are synthesized, purified, and structurally characterized by various analytical methods including X-ray diffraction. Complexes 2 - 4 crystallized in the P 2 1 / c space group, whereas 5 and 6 crystallized in the P 1̅ space group. The solution stability studies using 1 H NMR support instantaneous hydrolysis of the native complexes to form monoaquated species in a solution of 3:7 (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide- d 6 and 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH* 7.4, containing 4 mM NaCl). The monoaquated complexes are stable for at least up to 24 h. The complexes display excellent in vitro antiproliferative activity (IC 50 ca. 1-14 μM) in various cancer cell lines, viz., MDA-MB-231, MiaPaCa2, and Hep-G2. The presence of the pendant morpholine does not improve the dose efficacy, but rather, with 2-[[(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imino]methyl]phenol (HL1) and its pendant morpholine analogue (HL3) giving complexes 1 and 3 , respectively, the antiproliferative activity was poorer with 3 . MDA-MB-231 cells treated with the complexes show that the acidic vesicles remain acidic, but the population of acidic vesicles increases or decreases with time of exposure, as observed from the dispersed red puncta, depending on the complex used. The presence of the 2,6-disubstituted aniline and the naphthyl group seems to improve the antiproliferative dose. The complex treated MDA-MB-231 cells show that cathepsin D, which is otherwise present in the cytosolic lysosomes, translocates to the nucleus as a result of exposure to the complexes. Irrespective of the presence of a morpholine motif, the complexes do not activate caspase-3 to induce apoptosis and seem to favor the necrotic pathway of cell killing.

We report [Ru II (L)(η 6 - p -cym)Cl] ( 1 and 2 ) and [Pt II (L)(DMSO)Cl] ( 3 and 4 ) complexes, where L is a chelate imine ligand derived from chloroethylamine and salicylaldehyde ( HL1 ) or o-vanillin ( HL2 ). The complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and other analytical techniques. The 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance data show that both the Ru(II) and Pt(II) complexes start forming the aquated complex within an hour. The aquated complexes are stable at least up to 24 h. The complexes bind to the N 7 of the model nucleobase 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG). Interaction with calf thymus (CT) DNA shows moderate binding interactions with binding constants, K b (3.7 ± 1.2) × 10 3 M -1 and (4.3 ± 1.9) × 10 3 M -1 for 1 and 3 , respectively. The complexes exhibit significant antiproliferative activity against human pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma (Mia PaCa-2), triple negative metastatic breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2), and colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines. The studies show that with the same ligand the Pt(II) complexes are more potent than the Ru(II) complexes. The in vitro potencies of all the complexes toward pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa-2 are more than cisplatin (CDDP). The Pt(II) and Ru(II) complexes show similar binding constants with CT-DNA, but the reactivity of the Pt(II) complex 3 with 9-EtG is faster and their overall cell killing pathways are different. This is evident from the arrest of the cell cycle by the Ru(II) complex 1 in the G2/M phase in contrast to the SubG1 phase arrest by the Pt(II) complex 3 . The immunoblot study shows that 3 increases cyclin D and Bcl-2 expression in MDA-MB-231 due to the SubG1 phase arrest where these proteins express in greater quantities. However, both 1 and 3 kill in the apoptotic pathway via dose-dependent activation of caspase 3. Complex 3 depolarizes the mitochondria more efficiently than 1 , suggesting its higher preference for the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Our work reveals that the same bidentate ligand with a change of the metal center, viz , Pt(II) or Ru(II), imparts significant variation in cytotoxic dosage and pathway of action due to specific intrinsic properties of a metal center ( viz , coordination geometry, solution stability) manifested in a complex.

Ruthenium compounds are promising anticancer candidates owing to their lower side-effects and encouraging activities against resistant tumors. Half-sandwich piano-stool type Ru II compounds of general formula [(L)Ru II (η 6 -arene)(X)] + (L = chelating bidentate ligand, X = halide) have exhibited significant therapeutic potential against cisplatin-resistant tumor cell lines. In Ru II ( p -cymene) based complexes, the change of the halide leaving group has led to several interesting features, viz., hydrolytic stability, resistance toward thiols, and alteration in pathways of action. Tyramine is a naturally occurring monoamine which acts as a catecholamine precursor in humans. We synthesized a family of N , N and N , O coordinated Ru II ( p -cymene) complexes, [(L)Ru II (η 6 -arene)(X)] + ( 1 - 4 ), with tyramine and varied the halide (X = Cl, I) to investigate the difference in reactivity. Our studies showed that complex 2 bearing N , N coordination with an iodido leaving group shows selective in vitro cytotoxicity against the pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa-2 (IC 50 ca. 5 μM) but is less toxic to triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2), and the normal human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF-1). Complex 2 displays stability toward hydrolysis and does not bind with glutathione, as confirmed by 1 H NMR and ESI-HRMS experiments. The inert nature of 2 leads to enhancement of cytotoxicity (IC 50 = 5.3 ± 1 μM) upon increasing the cellular treatment time from 48 to 72 h.

A trans-dichloridoplatinum(II) complex, trans-[Pt II Cl 2 (L)(DMSO)] (1) of a monodentate nitrogen mustard, bis(2-chloroethyl)amine (L), was synthesized by the reaction of cis-[Pt II Cl 2 (DMSO) 2 ] &L.HCl in presence of Et 3 N. 1 was characterised by NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. L is unstable in aqueous solution while 1 displayed moderate stability. In aqueous buffer solution of pD 7.4, 1 starts to loose L slowly upon dissolution and even after 48 h there is still intact/aquated complex present in solution. 1 interacts with the model nucleobase 9-ethyl guanine. The ligand L was non-toxic against MCF-7, A549, HepG2 & MIA PaCa-2 up to 200 μM. In contrast, the Pt(II) complex 1 showed an excellent IC 50 (ca. 600 nM) against MIA PaCa-2 and also displayed good IC 50 value (3-7 μM) against the other cancer cell lines probed. The in vitro cytotoxicity of 1 is better than cisplatin against each of the treated cancer cell lines and it is not affected by hypoxia as per the in vitro studies. Complex 1 displays higher cellular accumulation than cisplatin and arrests the cell cycle in both S & G2/M phase inducing apoptotic cell death. The G2/M phase arrest is dominant at higher concentrations. The depolarisation of mitochondria by 1 combined with activation of caspase-7 indicates apoptotic cell death. Complex 1 induces low hemolysis of human blood signifying excellent blood compatibility., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ruthenium(II/III) complexes are predicted to be efficient alternatives to platinum drug-resistant cancers but have never been investigated for sequestration and efflux by Cu-ATPases (ATP7A or ATP7B) overexpressed in resistant cancer cells, although a major cause of platinum drug resistance is found to be sequestration of platinum chemotherapeutic agents by thiol donors glutathione (GSH) or the Cys-X-X-Cys (CXXC) motifs in the Cu-ATPases in cytosol. Here, we show for the first time that ATP7B efficiently sequesters ruthenium(II) η 6 - p -cymene complexes. We present seven complexes, [Ru II (η 6 - p -cym)(L)X](PF 6 ) ( 1 - 7 ; L = L1-L3, X = Cl, Br, and I), out of which two resists deactivation by the cellular thiol, glutathione (GSH). The results show that Ru-I coordination and a moderate steric factor increase resistance to GSH and the CXXC motif. Ru II -I-coordinated 3 and 7 showed resistance to sequestration by ATP7B. 3 displays highest resistance against GSH and does not trigger ATP7B trafficking in the liver cancer cell line. It escapes ATP7B-mediated sequestration and triggers apoptosis. Thus, with a suitable bidentate ligand and iodido leaving group, Ru II (η 6 - p -cym) complexes may display strong kinetic inertness to inhibit the ATP7B detoxification pathway. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry data show higher retention of 3 and 7 inside the cell with time compared to 4 , supporting ATP7B-mediated sequestration.

Four trimethoxy- and dimethoxyphenylamine-based Schiff base ( L1-L4 )-bearing Ru II - p -cymene complexes ( 1-4 ) of the chemical formula [Ru II (η 6 - p -cymene)(L)(Cl)] were synthesized, isolated in pure form, and structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and other analytical techniques. The complexes showed excellent in vitro antiproliferative activity against various forms of cancer that are difficult to cure, viz., triple negative human metastatic breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231, human pancreatic carcinoma MIA PaCa-2, and hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2. The 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance data in the presence of 10% dimethylformamide- d 7 or dimethyl sulfoxide- d 6 in phosphate buffer (pD 7.4, containing 4 mM NaCl) showed that the complexes immediately generate the aquated species that is stable for at least 24 h. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry data showed that they do not bind with guanine nitrogen even in the presence of 5 molar equivalents of 9-EtG, during a period of 24 h. The best complex in the series, 1 , exhibits an IC 50 of approximately 10-15 μM in the panel of tested cancer cell lines. The complexes do not enhance the production of reactive oxygen species in the cells. Docking studies with a tubulin crystal structure (Protein Data Bank entry 1SAO ) revealed that 1 and 3 as well as L1 and L3 have a high affinity for the interface of the α and β tubulin dimer in the colchicine binding site. The immunofluorescence studies showed that 1 and 3 strongly inhibited microtubule network formation in MDA-MB-231 cells after treatment with an IC 20 or IC 50 dose for 12 h. The cell cycle analysis upon treatment with 1 showed that the complexes inhibit the mitotic phase because the arrest was observed in the G2/M phase. In summary, 1 and 3 are Ru II half-sandwich complexes that are capable of disrupting a microtubule network in a dose-dependent manner. They depolarize the mitochondria, arrest the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, and kill the cells by an apoptotic pathway.

RuII-(η6-p-cymene) complexes of anthraimidazoldione (PAIDH) based ligand bearing the formula [RuII(η6-p-cymene)(PAIDH)(X)]+ (where, X = Cl, Br and I) showed excellent in vitro antiproliferative activity (IC50 range 1-2 μM) against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), human pancreatic carcinoma (MIA PaCa-2) and triple negative human metastatic breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231). The ESI-MS and 1H NMR data show that the complexes are stable in aqueous solution at pH 7.4 (4 mM NaCl) with less than 10% hydrolysis in 24 h. However, when the coordinated halide is bromo (2) or iodo (3), the complex exchanges the halide with chloride in solution. The exchange is dependent on chloride concentration. Fastest chloride exchange was observed for the bromo complex 2 and slowest for the iodo complex 3 showing the higher kinetic inertness of the latter. Complex 3 exhibits the weakest interaction with glutathione (GSH) and 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) in the series. ESI-MS studies of a 20% methanolic solution of 3 in 4 mM aqueous NaCl showed 80% intact complex even after 24 h of incubation with 9-EtG or GSH. 1-3 show similar in vitro cytotoxicity profile, but based on combined results from solution stability and cytotoxicity, the iodo complex 3 seems to be the best one in the series. There is no deterioration of toxicity under hypoxia or by induction of GSH in HepG2 cells. The low cytotoxicity of the complexes against difficult to treat triple negative breast carcinoma viz. MDA-MB-231 in vitro (IC50 = 1.5 ± 0.1 μM) is very encouraging, compared with cytotoxicity of clinical drug cisplatin (IC50 = 37.2 ± 2.5 μM). The complexes can alter mitochondrial membrane potential, arrest the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and kill cells via apoptosis. They inhibit migration of the metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells at IC20 dose.

The design of Ru or other metal-based anticancer agents may achieve better and faster optimization if the ligands used are also designed to have standalone functions. In this scenario, even after dissociation from the metal complex under adverse conditions, the ligand would have anti-cancer properties. In our work, we have generated a bispyrazole-containing benzimidazole ligand with potency against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), which is known to have roles in vasculogenesis/angiogenesis. This ligand was used to obtain ternary Ru(ii) p-cymene complexes with the formulations [(η 6 -p-cymene)Ru(HL)(Cl)](Cl) (1), [(η 6 -p-cymene)Ru(HL)(Br)](Br) (2) and [(η 6 -p-cymene)Ru(HL)(I)](I) (3). 1 H NMR data supports that hydrolysis of the complex is governed by halide substitution, and the extent of hydrolysis followed the trend 3 > 1 > 2. All the complexes have low affinity towards DNA bases (average K b ∼ 10 3 M -1 for CT DNA); however, all the complexes are cytotoxic in nature, with IC 50 values less than 15 μM. The presence of excess glutathione (GSH) liberates HL from the complexes in solution. The ability of the Ru complex to impair mitochondrial function and reduce the cellular GSH pool is thought to be the reason that it retains activity in the presence of GSH despite the ability of GSH to degrade the complexes. The chloride analogue 1 shows the best in vitro cytotoxicity against a prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP), with an IC 50 of 6.4 μM. The complexes show anti-proliferative activity by the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Docking studies showed that HL has high affinity towards vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). The complexes show anti-metastatic activity (in vitro) at almost non-toxic dosages, and the effect is sustained even 48 h after removal of the complexes from the culture media.

Two Pt(iv) complexes cis,cis,trans-[Pt(IV)(L1)Cl4] (1a) & cis,cis,trans-[Pt(IV)(L2)Cl4] (2a) containing the nitrogen mustard moieties -N(CH2CH2Cl)2 & -NHCH2CH2Cl, were prepared in a single step from the Pt(ii) complexes containing -N(CH2CH2OH)2 (1) & -NHCH2CH2OH (2) moieties respectively using only thionyl chloride. The characterization of both the Pt(iv) complexes was performed by NMR, IR, UV and elemental analysis. Complex 1a was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1a crystallized in the I2/a space group. 1a exhibited much higher solution stability than 2a in kinetic studies by (1)H NMR. 1a shows a prodrug like activity as it converts to its Pt(ii) congener, [Pt(II)(L1)Cl2] (3) after 2 days in buffered solution. The binding experiment of 1a with model nucleobase 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG), showed that 1a converts to 3 and forms mono-adducts with 9-EtG. In the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH), the formation of 3 from 1a is quicker and upon the formation of 3 it binds almost instantaneously to GSH to form cis-[PtCl(L1)SG] (3c). Complex 3c transformed within a day to give a free aziridinium ion of L1 (3b) by dissociation. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes and the clinical anticancer drug cisplatin show that 1a is potent against MCF-7, A549, HepG2 and MIA PaCa-2. The potency is highest against MIA PaCa-2 exhibiting an IC50 value of 4.4 ± 0.5 μM. The in vitro cytotoxicity data also showed that between the two complexes only 1a is active against MCF-7, A549 and MIA PaCa-2 in normoxia and hypoxia, both in the presence and absence of added GSH. Even in the presence of excess GSH in hypoxia, 1a exhibits significant cytotoxicity against MIA PaCa-2 and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 4.5 ± 0.3 and 11.2 ± 1.8 μM respectively. Platinum accumulation studies by ICP-MS display greater internalization of 1a, than 2a, 3 and cisplatin inside MCF-7 cells. 1a arrests cell cycle at the G2/M phase in MCF-7, exhibits capability to inhibit metastasis, induces apoptotic cell death and displays blood compatibility with human blood.

The effect of steric hindrance on reactivity towards biomolecules while designing Ru(II)-η(6)-p-cymene based anticancer agents seems to be an important parameter in improving the activity and inducing resistance against glutathione (GSH) deactivation. Herein we present the structure, hydrolysis, anticancer activity and the effect of steric hindrance on deactivation by glutathione for three complexes, [Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cym)(L1)(Cl)](PF6) (1), [Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cym)(L2)(Cl)](PF6) (2) and [Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cym)(L3)(Cl)](PF6) (3). The ligands L1-L3 are Schiff bases which show increasing substitution in a benzene ring, such that two ortho hydrogens are replaced by -methyl in 2 and by -isopropyl in 3. The cytotoxicity results strongly suggest that controlling the rate of hydrolysis through tuning of steric hindrance may be a feasible pathway to derive GSH resistant anticancer agents. The cellular studies show that all the three complexes show good blood compatibility (haemolysis <3%) and induce cellular death through caspase activation via the mitochondrial pathway. They have anti-angiogenic activity and prevent the healing of treated cells.

A pyridine ring containing a chelating nitrogen mustard ligand bis(2-chloroethyl)pyridylmethylamine hydrochloride (L2·HCl) was synthesized from bis(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridylmethylamine (L1) on reaction with thionyl chloride. Both the ligands upon reaction with cis-[PtCl2(DMSO)2] afforded square planar complexes cis-[PtCl2(L1)] (1) and cis-[PtCl2(L2)] (2) respectively. Both the complexes were characterized by NMR, IR, UV and elemental analysis. 2 crystallized in the P21/c space group. 2 shows greater solution stability than 1 in kinetic studies by 1H NMR. Both 1 and 2 bind the model nucleobase 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) and form multiple mono-adducts. Existence of unusual N7,O6 chelated guanine bound 2 (2e) was traced. Binding studies of 2 with glutathione (GSH) show formation of a mono-adduct cis-[PtCl(L2)SG] (2c), which transformed within a day to give an aziridinium ion of L2 (2b) after loss of L2. In vitro cytotoxicity of ligands, complexes and the clinical anticancer drug cisplatin show that 2 is the most potent against MCF-7, A549 and MIA PaCa2 exhibiting IC50 values of 12.6 ± 0.8, 18.2 ± 1.8 and 4.2 ± 1.0 μM respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity of 2 against MCF-7, A549 and MIA PaCa2 was also probed in hypoxia and in the presence and absence of added GSH. Even in the presence of excess GSH in hypoxia, 2 exhibits significant cytotoxicity against MIA PaCa2 and MCF-7 with IC50 of 4.4 ± 0.8 and 12.5 ± 1.1 μM respectively. Metal accumulation studies by ICP-MS display greater cellular internalization of 2, than 1 and cisplatin in MCF-7 cells. 2 arrests the cell cycle at sub G1 and G2/M phases in MCF-7 whereas cisplatin exhibits S phase arrest to be dominant with increase in concentration. Complex 2 exhibits a change in mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase activity and suggests apoptotic cell death through the intrinsic pathway. Moreover it is encouraging to find that 2 also restricts angiogenesis in chick embryo.

A slow hydrolyzing imidazole-based Ru(II)-arene complex [(L)Ru(II)(η(6)-p-cym)(Cl)](PF6) (1) with excellent stability in the extracellular chloride concentration shows better activity under hypoxia and strong resistance to glutathione (GSH) in vitro under hypoxic conditions. 1 arrests the cell cycle in sub G1 and G2/M phases and leads to apoptosis.