Studies on cytotoxic and DNA-binding properties of two ruthenium(II) complexes of a substituted phenanthroline ligand

Two chair ruthenium(II) complexes, Λ- and Δ-[Ru(bpy)₂tFMPIP]^{2 +} (bpy = bipyridyl; tFMPIP = (2′-trifluoromethylphenyl)-imidazo-[4,5-f]-[1, 10]-phenanthroline, Λ-1 and Δ-1) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS and ¹H-NMR. The cytotoxicity of these complexes against human hepatocarcinoma cell line Bel-7402, human intestinal adenocarcinoma cell line HCT-8, and Human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line A-549 have been investigated by colorimetric MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-1H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. Both Λ-1 and Δ-1 exhibit excellent inhibitory activity against the growth of Bel-7402 and HCT-8 cells. At dosage of 5 μg/cm³, the inhibition of Λ-1 and Δ-1 against human hepatocarcinoma cell line Bel-7402 is 85 and 85%, respectively. The studies on the DNA-binding properties of these complexes with Bel-7402 cell DNA by electronic spectra and steady state emission spectra, as well as circular dichlorism spectra show that there are detectable but subtle differences between Λ-1 and Δ-1, indicating the antitumor activity of these complexes is related to their DNA-binding behaviors.     

DNA-binding and photoactivated cleavage of enantiomeric ruthenium(II) complexes

A set of enantiomeric Ru^II complexes Δ- and Λ-[Ru(bpy)₂TAPTP](PF₆)₂(bpy=2,2’-bipyridine, TAPTP=4,5,9,18-tetraazaphenanthreno[9,10-b]triphenylene) have been synthesized and characterized. Binding of both enantiomers to calf thymus DNA has been studied by spectroscopic methods, viscosity, and equilibrium dialysis. The experimental results indicated that both enantiomers bind to DNA by intercalation. Upon irradiation at 302 nm, both enantiomers were found to promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from supercoiled form I to a nicked form II, and obvious enantioselectively was observed on DNA cleavage, the Λ- enantiomer exhibiting higher cleaving efficiency. The mechanisms for DNA cleavage by the two enantiomers are also proposed.     

DNA-binding and cleavage activity of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes

Polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru^II(3-bptpy)(dmphen)Cl]ClO₄ (1), [Ru^II(3-cptpy)(dmphen)Cl]ClO₄ (2), [Ru^II(2-tptpy)(dmphen)Cl]ClO₄ (3), and [Ru^II(9-atpy)(dmphen)Cl]ClO₄ (4) {where 3-bptpy?=?4′-(3-bromophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, 3-cptpy?=?4′-(3-chlorophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, 2-tptpy?=?4′-(2-thiophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, 9-atpy?=?4′-(9-anthryl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, dmphen?=?2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline} have been synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding properties of the complexes with Herring Sperm DNA have been investigated by absorption titration and viscosity measurements. The ability of complexes to break the pUC19 DNA has been checked by gel electrophoresis. The experimental results suggest that all the complexes bind DNA via partial intercalation. The results also show that the order of DNA-binding affinities of the complexes is 4?<?3?<?2?<?1, confirming that planarity of the ligand in a complex is very important for DNA-binding.     

Antibacterial properties of ruthenium(II) benzamide complexes

Reactions of the new acyclic ligand DNBH with RuCl₃ · 3H₂O, followed by addition of a secondary ligand L (L = PPh₃, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2-bipyridine, pyridine and 2,4-diaminotoluene), yield six binuclear metal complexes, TR1–TR6. Two different methods were employed: template and a two-step synthesis, both yielding the same complexes. DNBH and its metal complexes were characterised by a combination of spectroscopic, elemental and magnetic susceptibility data. Coordination was found to be through the carbonyl oxygen of amide and phenolic oxygen in the octahedral environment of the metal. DNBH and some of the metal complexes display antibacterial properties.     

DNA-binding properties of ruthenium(II) complexes with the bidentate ligand 5-chloro-2-(phenylazo)pyridine

A bidentate ligand, 5-chloro-2-(phenylazo)pyridine (Clazpy), and its two polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(Clazpy)₂bpy]Cl₂·7H₂O (1) and [Ru(Clazpy)₂phen]Cl₂·8H₂O (2), were synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding properties of these complexes with DNA, the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1), and the pBIND plasmid DNA were probed by photocleavage, electronic absorption titration, ethidium bromide quenching, and thermal denaturation. Both complexes were found to bind to the BRCA1 fragment through the intercalative mode into the base pairs of DNA, and the DNA-binding constants (K_b) for 1 and 2 were 7.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and 5.1 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. In addition, both complexes enhanced the single-stranded cleavage of the plasmid DNA. Under comparable experimental conditions, 2 cleaved DNA more effectively than 1, in a dose–response manner. The data indicated that the binding affinity of these two complexes to DNA was dependent on the aromatic planarity and hydrophobicity of the intercalative polypyridyl ligand.     

Synthesis, characterization, and DNA-binding studies of nitro(oligopyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The complexes of general formulas [RuII(terpy)(4-CO2H-4'-Mebpy)(X)]n+ (X = NO (n = 3) and NO2 (n = 1); 1, 2) and [RuII(terpy)(4-COGHK-4'-Mebpy)(X)] (X = NO (n = 3) and NO2 (n = 1); 3, 4) were synthesized and characterized. The complex [RuII(terpy)(4-CO2-4'-Mebpy)(NO2)]_7.5H2O has also been characterized by X-ray crystallographic studies. It crystallizes in the triclinic system: a = 9.4982(1) A, b = 13.1330(1) A, c = 14.2498(2) A; alpha = 110.5870(6) x bc, beta = 98.4048(5) x bc, gamma = 106.4353(5), P1, Z = 2. The crystal structure reveals an extended hydrogen-bonding network. Two water molecules form strong hydrogen bonds with the nitro and the carboxylic oxygen atoms of two separate units of the complex, resulting in a dimeric unit. The dimers are bridged by a (H2O)15 cluster, consisting of two cyclo-(H2O)6 species, while an exo-H2O(8) connects them. Two more exo-H2O molecules are joined together and connect the cyclo-(H2O)6 units with the H2O(1) of the dimeric unit. It was found that complexes 1 and 3 can be transformed into their nitro derivatives in aqueous media at neutral pH. Photorelease of NO in dry MeCN solutions was observed for complexes 1 and 3. Also, complex 2 partially releases (NO2)- in MeCN upon visible light irradiation. Complex 2 interacts with short fragments (70-300 bp) of calf thymus DNA shortening slightly the apparent polynucleotide length, while the conjugation of the peptide GHK to it (2) affects its DNA-binding mode. The peptide moiety of complex 4 was found to interact with the DNA helix in a synergistic way with the whole complex. Preliminary results of photocleavage of DNA by complex 2 are also reported.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and DNA-binding properties of two new mononuclear copper(II) complexes

Two mononuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(bpy)₂(CH₃OH)](pic)₂ (1) and [Cu(Me₂bpy)₂(H₂O)](pic)₂ (2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; Me₂bpy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine; Hpic = 2,4,6-trinitrophenol), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, IR, UV–Visible spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray analyses. Both complexes 1 and 2 are mononuclear compounds. The copper atom in complex 1 is in a distorted square pyramidal geometry with a CuN₄O chromophore as revealed from the τ value (0.25), while the Cu(II) ion in complex 2 displays a distorted trigonal bipyramidal stereochemistry with τ = 0.72. Hydrogen bonding interactions and π–π stacking interactions link the mononuclear copper complex 1 or 2 into a 1D infinite chain. The interactions of the two mononuclear complexes with herring sperm DNA (HS-DNA) have been studied by UV–visible absorption titration, fluorescence titration and ethidium bromide (EB) displacement experiments. The results suggest that both complexes might bind to DNA by intercalation.     

Electrochemical and DNA-binding properties of dipyridophenazine complexes of osmium(II)

A transition metal complex as an electrochemical probe of a DNA sensor must have an applicable redox potential, high binding affinity and chemical stability. Some complexes with the dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (DPPZ) ligand have been reported to have high binding affinity for DNA. However, it was difficult to detect the targeted DNA electrochemically using these complexes because of the relatively high redox potential. In this work, a combination of bipyridine ligands with functional groups (---NH₂, ---CH₃ and ---COOH) and the DPPZ ligand were studied. The introduction of electron-donating groups was effective for controlling the redox potential of the DPPZ-type osmium complex. The [Os(DA-bpy)₂DPPZ]²⁺ complex (DA-bpy; 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine) had a lower half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 147 mV (vs. Ag AgCl) and higher binding affinity with DNA {binding constant, K=3.1×10⁷ M⁻¹ in 10 mmol dm⁻³ Tris–HCl buffer with 50 mmol dm⁻³ NaCl (pH 7.76)} than those of other complexes. With the single stranded DNA (ssDNA) modified gold electrode, the hybridization signal (ΔI) of the [Os(DA-bpy)₂DPPZ]²⁺ complex was linear in the concentration range of 1.0 pg ml⁻¹–0.12 μg ml⁻¹ for the targeted DNA with a regression coefficient of 0.999. The detection limit was 0.1 pg ml⁻¹.     

Synthesis and recognition properties of a ruthenium(II)-bis(zinc) cyclic porphyrin trimer

A series of cyclic metalloporphyrin trimers containing one Ru(II)-CO porphyrin center are synthesized. A stepwise convergent route is used to synthesize Ru(CO)Zn(2)2.Py3T, where tripyridyltriazine (Py3T) templates the formation of the trimer and forces the CO group to the outside of the cavity. Three mixed-metal trimers, Ru(CO)Zn(2)2, Ru(CO)Ni(2)2, and Ru(CO)Mg(2)2, are synthesized from Ru(CO)Zn(2)2.Py3T and are characterized by NMR, UV-visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The Ru(CO)Zn(2)2 trimer is found to bind Py3T very tightly (K approximately 10(12) M-1), the resultant complex dissociating very slowly (kdissoc approximately 3 x 10(-7) s-1) in CDCl3 at 60 degrees C. During the course of these studies, the binding selectivity of a ruthenium porphyrin monomer, Ru(CO)3, for pyridine over THF is estimated to be ca. 7 x 10(4):1.     

Synthesis,DNA-binding properties and cytotoxicity evaluation of two copper(II) complexes based on curcumin

Two Cu(II) complexes based on curcumin, namely CuL ₂ ¹ [HL¹ = 1,7-bis[4-(2-oxymethylenepyridine)-3-methoxyl]phenyl-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-diketone] and CuL ₂ ² [HL² = 1,7-bis[4-(3-oxymethylene-2-chlorothiophene)-3-methoxyl] phenyl-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-diketone], have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The interactions of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) with both complexes have been investigated by UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence and viscosity titration methods. Both complexes are found to interact with CT-DNA by intercalative binding modes. Evaluation of the cytotoxicities of the complexes against three human tumor cells showed that they have potent cytotoxicities against all three cell lines.     

Dithiocarboxylate complexes of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II)

The ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(R)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IPr)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) (R = CH=CHBu(t), CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4, C(C≡CPh)=CHPh) are formed on reaction of IPr·CS(2) with [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)] (BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) or [Ru(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)Cl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] in the presence of ammonium hexafluorophosphate. Similarly, the complexes [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·ICy)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) and [Ru(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)(κ(2)-S(2)C·ICy)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) are formed in the same manner when ICy·CS(2) is employed. The ligand IMes·CS(2) reacts with [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)] to form the compounds [Ru(R)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) (R = CH=CHBu(t), CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4, C(C≡CPh)=CHPh). Two osmium analogues, [Os(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) and [Os(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) were also prepared. When the more bulky diisopropylphenyl derivative IDip·CS(2) is used, an unusual product, [Ru(κ(2)-SC(H)S(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)·IDip)Cl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+), with a migrated vinyl group, is obtained. Over extended reaction times, [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)Cl(BTD)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] also reacts with IMes·CS(2) and NH(4)PF(6) to yield the analogous product [Ru{κ(2)-SC(H)S(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)·IMes}Cl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+)via the intermediate [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+). Structural studies are reported for [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IPr)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)]PF(6) and [Ru(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)(κ(2)-S(2)C·ICy)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)]PF(6).     

DNA-binding and photocleavage, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and antioxidant activity studies of ruthenium(II) complexes

Two ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes, namely [Ru(phen)₂(DMDPPZ)](ClO₄)₂ 1 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, DMDPPZ = 3,6-dimethyldipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) and [Ru(dmp)₂(DMDPPZ)](ClO₄)₂ 2 (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding properties of the complexes were investigated by spectrophotometric methods, viscosity measurements, and photoactivated cleavage studies. The DNA-binding constants for complexes 1 and 2 have been determined as 8.78 (±0.94) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (s = 3.02) and 1.26 (±0.35) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (s = 1.69), respectively. The results suggest that these complexes bind to calf thymus DNA through intercalation. When irradiated at 365 nm, the complexes promote the photocleavage of pBR322 DNA, and complex 1 cleaves DNA more effectively than complex 2 under comparable experimental conditions. The cytotoxicities of complexes 1 and 2 have been evaluated by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) method. Complex 2 shows higher anticancer potency than complex 1 against four tumor cell lines. The apoptosis-inducing activity was assessed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining assay, and the antioxidant activities of these complexes against hydroxyl radical were also explored.     

Synthesis,DNA-binding,and photocleavage studies of ruthenium(II) complexes with an asymmetric ligand

An asymmetric ligand (pdpiq?=?2-(pyridine-2-yl)-6,7-diphenyl-1-H-imidazo[4,5-g]quinoxaline) and its ruthenium complexes with [Ru(L)₂pdpiq]²⁺ (L?=?bpy (2,2′-bipyridine) or phen (1,10-phenanthroline)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, and ¹H NMR. The DNA-binding behaviors of these complexes were studied by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the complexes can intercalate into DNA base pairs. When irradiated at 365?nm, the two complexes promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR322DNA. The mechanism of DNA cleavage is an oxidative process by generating singlet oxygen.     

Electroluminescence in ruthenium(II) complexes

We have investigated the electrochemical, spectroscopic, and electroluminescent properties of a family of diimine complexes of Ru featuring various aliphatic side chains as well as a more extended pi-conjugated system. The performance of solid-state electroluminescent devices fabricated from these complexes using indium tin oxide (ITO) and gold contacts appears to be dominated by ionic space charge effects. Their electroluminescence efficiency was limited by the photoluminescence efficiency of the Ru films and not by charge injection from the contacts. The incorporation of di-tert-butyl side chains on the dipyridyl ligand was found to be the most beneficial substitution in terms of reducing self-quenching of luminescence.     

Synthesis,photophysical, and electrochemical properties of two polynuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes containing diazafluorene

Two polypodands, tetrakis[2-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylimino)phenoxymethyl]methane (L¹) and 1,1,1-tris[2-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylimino)phenoxymethyl]propane (L²), and their corresponding Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The photophysical behaviors of the two complexes were investigated by UV–vis absorption and emission spectroscopy. They display metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorptions at around 443 nm in MeCN solution at room temperature and emission at around 573 nm in EtOH:MeOH (4:1) glassy matrix at 77 K. Electrochemical studies of the two complexes show one Ru(II)-centered oxidation at around 1.35 V and three ligand-centered reductions.     

Syntheses of ruthenium(II) quinonediimine complexes of cyclam and characterization of their DNA-binding activities and cytotoxicity

The synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(cyclam)(bqdi)] x ZnCl(4) (1 x ZnCl(4); cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, bqdi = o-benzoquinonediimine), [Ru(cyclam)(nqdi)] x (ClO(4))(2) (2 x (ClO(4))(2); nqdi = 2,3-naphthoquinonediimine), and [Ru(cyclam)(phi)] x (ClO(4))(2) (3 x (ClO(4))(2); phi = 9,10-phenanthroquinonediimine), are described. The DNA binding properties and biological activity of the Ru(II) complexes were studied by various biophysical and cytological techniques. As expected, only 3 showed significant binding with DNA. The thermodynamic profile of the binding of 3 and DNA was constructed by analyzing the experimental data of absorption titration and UV melting studies with the McGhee equation, van't Hoff's equation, and the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation. Compound 3 binds double-stranded DNA with a binding constant of 5.0 x 10(4) M(-1) at 20 degrees C, and the binding mode of the complex to DNA was proved to be intercalative. Cytotoxicity and induced type of cell death of 1-3 were also investigated. Basically, metal complexes with ligands of molecular shape closely related to the structure of DNA are more likely to bind DNA and possess higher toxicity.     

Synthesis,characterization and DNA-binding properties of zinc(II) and nickel(II) Schiff base complexes

A new ligand, 2-carboxybenzaldehyde-(4’-hydroxy)benzoylhydrazone(H₂L) and its Zn^II and Ni^II complexes have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductivities, ¹H-NMR, IR spectra and thermal analyses. In addition, DNA-binding properties of these two metal complexes were investigated using spectrometric titrations, ethidium bromide displacement experiments, and viscosity measurements. The results show that the two complexes, especially the Ni^II complex, strongly bind with calf-thymus DNA, presumably via an intercalation mechanism. The intrinsic binding constants of the Zn^II and Ni^II complexes with DNA are 2.46 × 10⁵ and 7.94 × 10⁵ M ⁻¹, respectively.     

Oligo(U-terpyridines) and their ruthenium(II) complexes: synthesis and structural properties

A highly efficient domino reaction starting from tetrahydroquinolinone and a series of bisiminium salts provides the corresponding bis(U-terpyridines). These ligands have been treated with [(tpy)RuCl3] to afford novel dinuclear complexes [(tpy)Ru(L)Ru(tpy)]4+. The protocol is also applied for the synthesis of a star-shaped tris(U-terpyridine) and the trinuclear complex [{(tpy)Ru}3(L)]6+. In view of potential applications in the fields of metallopolymers and molecular devices, the electronic spectra, as well as the electrochemical potentials of all the complexes have been obtained. According to these data, no significant intermetal interaction has been observed for the ruthenium complexes presented here.     

Effects of the ancillary ligands of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes on the DNA-binding and photocleavage behaviors

The new polypyridyl ligand MIP {MIP = 2-(2,3-methylenedioxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]1,10-phenanthroline} and its ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(MIP)]²⁺ (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and [Ru(dmp)₂(MIP)]²⁺ (2) (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The DNA-binding properties of the two complexes to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements, as well as equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results suggest that complex 1 binds to CT-DNA through intercalation, and complex 2 binds to CT-DNA via a partial intercalative mode. This difference in binding mode probably is caused by the different ancillary ligands. Also, when irradiated at 400 nm, complex 1 was found to be a more-effective DNA-cleaving agent than complex 2.