Synthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxic Activity, and Metabolic Studies of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes Containing Flavonoid Ligands

Inorg Chem. 2020 Apr 6;59(7):4424-4434. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.9b03562. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Abstract

Four novel monocationic Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes were synthesized with the general formula [Ru(DIP)2flv]X, where DIP is 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, flv stands for the flavonoid ligand (5-hydroxyflavone in [Ru(DIP)2(5-OHF)](PF6), genistein in [Ru(DIP)2(gen)](PF6), chrysin in [Ru(DIP)2(chr)](OTf), and morin in [Ru(DIP)2(mor)](OTf)), and X is the counterion, PF6-, and OTf ̅ (triflate, CF3SO3̅), respectively. Following the chemical characterization of the complexes by 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis, their cytotoxicity was tested against several cancer cell lines. The most promising complex, [Ru(DIP)2(gen)](PF6), was further investigated for its biological activity. Metabolic studies revealed that this complex severely impaired mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis processes, contrary to its precursor, Ru(DIP)2Cl2, which showed a prominent effect only on the mitochondrial respiration. In addition, its preferential accumulation in MDA-MB-435S cells (a human melanoma cell line previously described as mammary gland/breast; derived from metastatic site: pleural effusion), which are used for the study of metastasis, explained the better activity in this cell line compared to MCF-7 (human, ductal carcinoma).

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Flavonoids / chemical synthesis
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Glycolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Pyridines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Ruthenium / chemistry

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Flavonoids
  • Ligands
  • Pyridines
  • Ruthenium