Bioguided Isolation and Antiproliferative Activity of Constituents from Smilax korthalsii A.D.C. Leaves

Ethyl acetate extract of Smilax korthalsii A.D.C. leaves exhibited antiproliferative activity on leukaemia carcinoma K562, hepatic liver cancer cells WRL and colorectal carcinoma with IC₅₀ of 125.20, 46.10 and 160.00 μM respectively. Isolation of the bioactive ethyl acetate extract of Smilax korthalsii A.D.C. leaves gave eight compounds; 3β‐hydroxyspirost‐5‐ene (diosgenin), 1 , β‐sitosterol, 2 , lup‐5,11,20‐trien‐23‐ol, 3 , uneicos‐9‐enoic acid, 4 , ethylheptadecan‐17‐oic‐9‐enoate, 5 , cis‐octadec‐9‐enoic acid, 6 , hexadec9‐enoic acid, 7 and 11‐methyltridec‐12‐en‐1‐ol, 8 . The isolated compounds were tested against four human cancer cell lines: leukaemia carcinoma, K‐562; hepatic liver cancer cells, WRL; colorectal carcinoma, COLO; and breast carcinoma, MCF‐7 using the MTT assay. Diosgenin 1 exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against all four cell lines (IC₅₀; K562=6.25, WRL=14.34, COLO=38.00, MCF‐7=12.40 μM), while compounds 3, 6 and 7 inhibited the growth of K‐562 at 20, 50 and 100 μM concentrations with IC₅₀ of 90.20, 75.92 and 50.72 μM respectively. Other isolated compounds also showed cytotoxic properties against K‐562, WRL and COLO, but showed low inhibition of MCF‐7.     

Two New Prenylated Xanthones from the Pericarp of Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen)

Two new prenylated xanthones (=9H‐xanthen‐9‐ones), garcimangosxanthones D ( 1 ) and E ( 2 ), together with the six known xanthones 3 – 8 , were isolated from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana. Their structures were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. All of the isolated compounds were biologically evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against A549, Hep‐G2, and MCF‐7 human‐cancer cell lines and antioxidant activity. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against Hep‐G2 (IC₅₀=19.2 μM ) and weak cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 (IC₅₀=62.8 μM ) cell lines, and compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity against A549, Hep‐G2, and MCF‐7 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 12.5–20.0 μM (Table 2). Both compounds 1 and 2 demonstrated a weak antioxidant activity with ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values of 41±7 and 130±4 μmol/g, respectively (Table 3).     

Cytotoxic Isoprenylated Flavonoids from the Roots of Sophora flavescens

Three new flavonoids, which are isoprenylated by fused 2,2‐dimethyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran moieties, were isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens and named flavenochromanes A–C ( 1 – 3 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques. Flavenochromane C ( 3 ) showed strong cytotoxic activity against A549 (lung carcinoma), 1A9 (ovarian carcinoma), KB (epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx), and KB‐Vin (drug‐resistant variant KB) cell lines with IC₅₀ values ≤1.7 μM , and significant activity against the MCF‐7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 3.6 μM . Flavenochromane B ( 2 ) displayed slightly lower inhibitory effects (IC₅₀ 3.2–6.9 μM ) as compared with 3 .     

Three New Homoisoflavanones from the Ophiopogon japonicus Ker‐Gawler (Liliaceae)

Three new homoisoflavanones, 1 – 3 , together with a known one, 4 , were obtained from the AcOEt extract of the tuberous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus (Liliaceae). They were identified as (3R)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐3‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐6,8‐dimethyl‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one ( 1 ), (3R)‐3‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐ylmethyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐6,8‐dimethyl‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one ( 2 ), (3R)‐3‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐ylmethyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐6‐methyl‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one ( 3 ), and ophiopogonanone A ( 4 ). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive NMR‐spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses. The three new compounds are rare homoisoflavanones which contain a MeO group at C(5). Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak cytotoxicity against the HepG2 (human hepatoma G2), KB (human oral epidermoid carcinoma), and MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines in an MTT assay. Compound 3 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF‐7, and moderate cytotoxicity against KB cell lines. Compound 4 showed moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2, KB, and MCF‐7 cell lines.     

Synthesis,Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation of Novel 1,2,3‐Triazole Linked Quinazoline Derivatives

A series of novel 1,2,3‐triazole‐quinazoline derivatives were synthesized in five steps starting from anthranilamide by conventional methods. All the title compounds 10a — 10r were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines (MGC ‐803, EC ‐109, MCF ‐7 and HGC ‐27) using MTT assay in vitro . Some of the synthesized compounds exhibited moderate to potent activity against tested cancer cell lines. Among them, compounds 10 h and 10q exhibited excellent growth inhibition against HGC ‐27 and compound 10 m also possessed excellent activity against MCF ‐7, with IC₅₀ values less than 1 µmol/L. Especially, compound 10 h was more cytotoxic than 5‐fluorouracil against all tested four human cancer cell lines.     

Et3N‐Prompted Efficient Synthesis of Anthracenyl Pyrazolines and Their Cytotoxicity Evaluation against Cancer Cell Lines

A series of anthracenyl pyrazoline derivatives ( 3a – o ) were synthesized with an aim to evaluate their in vitro anticancer activities. Anthracenyl pyrazoline compounds were prepared by the reaction between various anthracenyl chalcones ( 1a – o ) and hydrazine hydrate ( 2 ). The reactions were carried out under reflux in the presence of triethylamine and ethanol for 24 h, and the obtained yields were from good to excellent (90–97%). The structure of each compound is well characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, elemental analyses, and mass spectroscopic technics, and the molecular structures of compounds 3d and 3e were solved by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic methods. The newly synthesized compounds ( 3a – o ) were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic studies against four human cancer cell lines MCF‐7 (breast cancer cell lines), SK‐N‐SH (neuroblastoma cancer cell lines), HeLa (cervical cancer cell lines), and HepG2 (liver cancer cell lines), and the screening results show strong cytotoxic effects for most of the synthesized compounds against the three cell lines except SK‐N‐SH cells. Notably, compounds 3a , 3j , 3l , 3m , 3n , and 3o showed a highly potential activity against HeLa cells (IC₅₀: 0.22, 0.3, 0.3, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.25 μM), while compounds 3i , 3k , 3l , and 3m showed a significant cytotoxic activity in HepG2 cells (IC₅₀: 0.22, 0.44, 0.40, and 0.22 μM), whereas compounds 3a , 3b , 3d , and 3e exhibit a promising cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 cells (IC₅₀: 0.73, 0.495, 0.493, and 0.66 μM).     

Moxifloxacin/Gatifloxacin‐1,2,3‐triazole‐isatin Hybrids with Hydrogen‐Bond Donor and Their In Vitro Anticancer Activity

A series of novel moxifloxacin/gatifloxacin‐1,2,3‐triazole‐isatin hybrids ( 8a – i ) were designed, synthesized, and screened for their in vitro anticancer activity in this paper. All of the synthesized hybrids were active against A549 and HepG2 cancer cell lines, whereas the parent drugs moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin were devoid of activity. Among them, hybrid 8i (IC₅₀: 41.1–98.3 μM) showed considerable activity against A549, HepG2, and MCF‐7 cancer cell lines, and it was no inferior to Vorinostat (IC₅₀: 64.32 to >100 μM) against the three cancer cell lines. Thus, this kind of hybrids has potentiality for discovery of new anticancer candidates for clinical deployment in the control and eradication of cancers.     

Chemical Constituents from Alafia Barteri Oliv. Leaves with Cytotoxic Activity

Methanol extract of Alafia barteri leaves showed cytotoxic activity on leukaemia carcinoma K562, and hepatic liver cancer cells WRL (IC₅₀ values 193.1 and 225.0 μM respectively). Isolation of the extract gave ursane triterpenoid, 28‐acety‐urs‐5,20‐dien‐2β,3β,24α‐triol, 1 , together with undecanol, 2 , stigmasterol, 3 and octadecanoic acid, 4 . The structures of these compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis, including MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and supported with literature data. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxic activity against K‐562 at 50 and 100 μM concentrations with IC₅₀ 74.22 μM, while compounds 2 , 3 and 4 showed low inhibition of WRL, MCF‐7 and COLO cell lines.     

Synthesis,in vitro Antimicrobial,and Cytotoxic Activities of New 1,3,4‐Oxadiazin‐5(6H)‐one Derivatives from Dehydroabietic Acid

A series of new 1,3,4‐oxadiazin‐5(6H)‐one derivatives ( 6a–n ) of dehydroabietic acid were designed and synthesized as potential antimicrobial and antitumor agents. Their structures were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, and elemental analyses. All the title compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against four bacterial and three fungal strains using the serial dilution method. Among them, compound 6e showed the highest antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1.9 μg/mL. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic activities of the title compounds were also assayed against three human carcinoma cell lines (MCF‐7, SMMC‐7721, and HeLa) through the MTT colorimetric method. As a result, compounds 6b , 6g , 6k, and 6m exhibited significant inhibition against at least one cell line with IC₅₀ values below 10 μM. Compound 6m was especially found to be the most potent derivative with IC₅₀ values of 2.26 ± 0.23, 0.97 ± 0.11, and 1.89 ± 0.31 μM against MCF‐7, SMMC‐7721, and HeLa cells, respectively, comparable to positive control etoposide.     

(Benzyl isocyanide)gold(I) pyrimidine‐2‐thiolate complex: Synthesis and biological activity

The reaction of [(Me₂S)AuCl] with an equimolar amount of benzyl isocyanide (PhCH₂NC) ligand led to the formation of complex [(PhCH₂NC)AuCl] ( 1 ). The solid‐state structure of 1 was determined using the X‐ray diffraction method. Through a salt metathesis reaction, the chloride ligand in 1 was replaced by pyrimidine‐2‐thiolate (SpyN^?) to afford the complex [(PhCH₂NC)Au(η¹‐S‐Spy)] ( 2 ), which was characterized spectroscopically. The cytotoxic activities of 1 and 2 were evaluated against three human cancer cell lines: ovarian carcinoma (SKOV3), lung carcinoma (A549) and breast carcinoma (MCF‐7). Complex 2 showed higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin against SKOV3 and MCF‐7 cancer cell lines. It showed a strong anti‐proliferative activity with IC₅₀ of 7.80, 6.26 and 6.14 μM, compared with that measured for cisplatin which was 7.62, 12.36 and 11.47 μM, against A549, SKOV3 and MCF‐7 cell lines, respectively. The induction of cellular apoptosis by 2 was also studied on MCF‐7 cell line. Our results indicated that 2 could induce apoptosis in cancerous cells in a dose‐dependent manner.     

4‐Chlorothiazole‐5‐carbaldehydes as Potent Precursors for Synthesis of Some New Pendant N‐heterocyces Endowed with Anti‐Tumor Activity

In our approach to synthesize bioactive molecules, a series of novel N‐heterocycles were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antitumor activity against a panel of three human cancer cell lines, namely, human breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7), human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), and human prostate cancer PC‐3. The majority of the tested compounds exhibited significant cytotoxic activity toward the tested tumor cell lines. Analogues 33 , 34 , 31 , 38 , 21 , 23 , 22 , and 20 exhibited considerable cytotoxic activities comparable with standard drug 5‐fuorouracil. Compound 33 displayed superior cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of 4.12 ± 1.21 μg/mL against HeLa tumor cell line.     

A methyltitanocene complex of schisandrol A with high efficacy against multi‐drug resistant cervix and breast carcinoma cells

The objective of this work was to combine the ABC‐transporter inhibition characteristic of esters of the Schisandra sphenantera metabolite schisandrol A with the growth inhibitory and anti‐migratory effects typical of titanium complexes. To this end dimethyltitanocene, (h⁵‐C₅H₅)₂Ti(CH₃)₂, was reacted with the vicinal diol schisandrol A to afford the schisandroxy(methyl)titanocene ( 1 ) as a stable water‐soluble solid. In MTT assays against seven tumor cell lines it proved distinctly more cytotoxic than schisandrol A or dimethyltitanocene or combinations of these. It reached single‐digit micromolar IC₅₀(72 h) values against cells of leukemia HL‐60, melanoma 518A2 and also resistant cervix carcinoma KB‐V1/vbl and resistant breast carcinoma MCF‐7/topo. Non‐malignant fibroblasts were virtually insensitive to it [IC₅₀ (72 h) > 50 µM ]. In addition, the new complex inhibited the p‐gp drug transporters of KB‐V1/vbl cells and prevented a regrowth and closure of scratch wounds in cancer cell cultures (‘wound‐healing’ assay) when applied in concentrations < 1 µM , which is an indication of a potential anti‐migratory and anti‐invasive activity in solid tumors. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Novel Andrographolide‐1,2,3‐Triazole Derivatives

A series of new andrographolide‐1,2,3‐triazole derivatives, 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k , were synthesized from a natural bioactive labdane type diterpenoid, andrographolide. All the derivatives were screened against human cancer cell lines MCF7, MDA‐MB‐231, COLO205, HepG2, K562, Hela, and HEK293 to evaluate their cytotoxic activity. All the compounds showed anticancer activity selectively against K562 cell line, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 8.00 to 17.11 µM, and are inactive against the rest of the cell lines. Compounds 3c and 3d showed significant cytotoxicity among the synthesized derivatives. The in silico docking studies revealed compounds 3b and 3d with high binding affinity against the cancer target, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1.     

Structure‐cytotoxicity relationship for apoptotic inducers organotin(IV) derivatives of mandelic acid and L‐proline and their mixed ligand complexes having enhanced cytotoxicity

Structure‐cytotoxicity relationship of di?/tri‐organotin(IV) derivatives of mandelic acid ( 1 – 4 ), L‐proline ( 5 – 7, 15, 16 ), and mixed ligand complexes of latter with 1,10‐phenanthroline ( 8 – 14 ) investigated on the basis of MTT assay against human cancer cell lines, viz. MCF‐7 (mammary cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer) and PC‐3 (prostate cancer) in vitro indicated that all complexes except methyl‐ and octyl‐ analogues displayed potential cytotoxicity. The most active one is dibutyltin(IV) mandelate ( 2 ) exhibiting IC₅₀ 2.03 ± 0.40, 0.98 ± 0.23 and 3.86 ± 1.68 μM against MCF‐7, HepG2 and PC‐3, respectively, which is ≈ 15 and 2.5 times against MCF‐7, 20 and 5 times against HepG2 and 5 and ≈ 3 times against PC‐3 more cytotoxic than cis‐platin and 5‐fluorouracil, respectively. Diorganotin(IV) derivatives of mandelic acid are more cytotoxic than triorganotin analogues. Organotin(IV) derivatives of L‐proline (except Bu₃Sn(Pro) 16 ) are less cytotoxic than those of mandelic acid but their cytotoxicity is enhanced by complexion with 1,10‐phenanthroline. This may be due to the structural planarity and extended π system of 1,10‐phenanthroline which facilitates their transportation across the cell membrane and enhances the possibility of DNA intercalation over the planar L‐proline ring, and eventually, their DNA binding affinity so as to interfere with the cellular functions of DNA leading to apoptosis. Various biophysical experiments such as DNA fragmentation, acridine orange and comet assays, and flow cytometry assay using annexin V–fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) have been carried out in order to ascertain their mode of action. The observed results indicated that the major cause of cancer cell death is apoptosis, but a minor role played by necrosis cannot be excluded. It is concluded on the basis of the observed results that the nature and number of organic groups bonded to tin as well as the nature of counter anions play an important role in determining the cytotoxicity of organotin(IV) compounds.     

Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Some Novel 5‐Amino[1,2,4]Triazole Derivatives

Novel [1,2,4]triazole derivatives were synthesized via various synthetic pathways. Among which were different substituted [1,2,4]triazole analogues that were synthesized, in addition to various fused [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a][1,3,5]triazines, and [1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazines. Besides, benzo[h][1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐b]quinazolines, [1,2,4]triazolo‐[5,1‐b]quinazoline, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline and [1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine derivatives were also synthesized. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against liver cancer HepG2 and breast cancer MCF7 cell lines compared with the reference drug doxorubicin. Compounds 4 , 7 , 15 , 17 , 28 , 34 , and 47 were found to exert promising anticancer activity against HepG2 cell line showing IC₅₀ values ranging from 17.69 to 25.4 μM/L, while compounds 7 , 14a , 17 , 28 , and 34 showed significant activity against MCF7 cell line with IC₅₀ values ranging from 17.69 to 27.09 μM/L.     

Synthesis,Anticancer Evaluation,and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel (4‐Hydroxy‐2‐Thioxo‐3,4‐Dihydro‐2H‐[1,3]Thiazin‐6‐Yl)‐Chromen‐2‐Ones via a Multicomponent Approach

A series of coumarin‐substituted 1,3‐thiazine‐2‐thione derivatives ( 4a–m ) were synthesized via the multicomponent reaction of 3‐chloro‐3‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)acrylaldehyde ( 1 ) carbon disulfide ( 2 ), and various primary amines ( 3 ), in presence of triethylamine and acetonitrile under stirring with good yields. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were characterized by analytical and spectral studies. Further, the synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against different cancer cell lines (A549, MDA‐MB‐231, MCF7, HeLa, and B16F10). Studies on the molecular interactions to recognize the hypothetical binding motif of the title compounds with the target Hsp 100 were carried out employing the Schrodinger software. Compounds 4a , 4c and 4m showed activity against all the five cell lines compared with the reference drug, and 4a exhibited the least IC₅₀ concentration of 7.56 ± 1.07 μg/mL against MCF7. This in vitro anticancer result was supported by in silico docking and in silico ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) studies as well.     

Influence of Halogen Substitution in the Ligand Sphere on the Antitumor and Antibacterial Activity of Half‐sandwich Ruthenium(II) Complexes [RuX(η6‐arene)(C5H4N‐2‐CH=N‐Ar)]+

New complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C₅H₄N‐2‐CH=N–Ar)X]PF₆ [X = Br ( 1 ), I ( 2 ); Ar = 4‐fluorophenyl ( a ), 4‐chlorophenyl ( b ), 4‐bromophenyl ( c ), 4‐iodophenyl ( d ), 2,5‐dichlorophenyl ( e )] were prepared, as well as 3a – 3e (X = Cl) and the new complexes [(η⁶‐arene)RuCl(N‐N)]PF₆ (arene = C₆H₅OCH₂CH₂OH, N‐N = 2,2′‐bipyridine ( 4 ), 2,6‐(dimethylphenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 5 ), 2,6‐(diisopropylphenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 6 ); arene = p‐cymene, N‐N = 4‐(aminophenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 7 )]. X‐ray diffraction studies were performed for 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 2b , 5 , and 7 . Cytotoxicities of 1a – 1d and 2 were established versus human cancer cells epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco‐2) (IC₅₀: 35.8–631.0 μM), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) (IC₅₀: 36.3–128.8.0 μM), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) (IC₅₀: 60.6–439.8 μM), 3a – 3e were tested against HepG2 and Caco‐2, and 4 – 7 were tested against Caco‐2. 1 – 7 were tested against non‐cancerous human epithelial kidney cells. 1 and 2 were more selective towards tumor cells than the anticancer drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), but 3a – 3e (X = Cl) were not selective. 1 and 2 had good activity against MCF7, some with lower IC₅₀ than 5‐FU. Complexes with X = Br or I had moderate activity against Caco‐2 and HepG2, but those with Cl were inactive. Antibacterial activities of 1a , 2b , 3a , and 7 were tested against antibacterial susceptible and resistant Gram‐negative and ‐positive bacteria. 1a , 2b , and 3a showed activity against methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MIC = 31–2000 μg · mL^–1).     

1H NMR‐Guided Isolation of Formyl‐Phloroglucinol Meroterpenoids from the Leaves of Eucalyptus robusta

Nine formyl‐phloroglucinolmeroterpenoids (FPMs), namely, eucalrobusones A–I ( 1 – 9 ), were isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta by tracking the phenolic hydroxyl ¹H NMR peaks. The Snatzke helicity rules for the Cotton effects of twisted benzene rings were applied to elucidate the absolute configurations of the FPMs. These findings, along with NMR spectroscopy, the circular dichroism (CD) exciton chirality method, and CD calculations, allowed complete structures for the FPMs to be assigned. Eucalrobusones A–F ( 1 – 6 ) are novel adducts formed between a formyl‐derived carbon atom on the phloroglucinol ring and monoterpene and sesquiterpene components. Eucalrobusones G–I ( 7 – 9 ) are the first examples of FPMs with cubebane part structures connected by an unusual 1‐oxaspiro[5.5]undecane subunit. Among these isolates, eucalrobusone C ( 3 ) showed significant cytotoxicity against HepG2, MCF‐7, and U2OS cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values less than 10 μm . Compound 3 significantly blocks cell proliferation in MCF‐7 cells and induces MCF‐7 cell death through apoptosis.     

Design,Synthesis, and In Vitro Anticancer Activities of Diethylene Glycol Tethered Isatin‐1,2,3‐triazole‐coumarin Hybrids

A series of novel diethylene glycol tethered isatin‐1,2,3‐triazole‐coumarin hybrids 9a – l were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activities against HepG2 (liver carcinoma), Hela (cervical cancer), A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), DU145 (prostatic cancer), SKOV3 (ovarian carcinoma), MCF‐7 (breast cancer), and drug‐resistant MCF‐7/DOX (doxorubicin‐resistant MCF‐7) human cancer cell lines. The results showed that most of the synthesized hybrids exhibited considerable in vitro activities against the tested seven cancer cell lines, and these hybrids can be acted as starting points for further investigation.     

Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxicity of Pt(II), Pd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 4’‐substituted terpyridine

Eight novel Pt(II), Pd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 4’‐substituted terpyridine were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV, IR, NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance, high‐resolution mass spectrometry and molar conductivity measurements. The cytotoxicity of these complexes against HL‐60, BGC‐823, KB and Bel‐7402 cell lines was evaluated by MTT assay. All the complexes displayed cytotoxicity with low IC₅₀ values (<20 μm ) and showed selectivity. Complexes 3 , 5 , 7 and 8 exerted 9‐, 5‐, 12‐ and 7‐fold higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin against Bel‐7402 cell line. The cytotoxicity of complexes 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 and 8 was higher than that of cisplatin against BGC‐823 cell line. Complexes 3 , 7 and 8 showed similar cytotoxicity to cisplatin against KB cell line. Complex 7 exhibited higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin against HL‐60 cell line. Among these complexes, complex 7 demonstrated the highest in vitro cytotoxicity, with IC₅₀ values of 1.62, 3.59, 2.28 and 0.63 μm against HL‐60, BGC‐823, Bel‐7402 and KB cells lines, respectively. The results suggest that the cytotoxicity of these complexes is related to the nature of the terminal group of the ligand, the metal center and the leaving groups. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.