Applying Cu(II) complexes assisted by water-soluble porphyrin to DNA binding and selective anticancer activities

Cancer is one of the killers endangering human health and its treatment has always been a focus of the medical community. For anticancer drugs, water-soluble porphyrin and Schiff bases have always been of interest. We report here three Cu(II)-based complexes functionalized by water-soluble cationic porphyrin and hydrazine Schiff base, which were prepared and evaluated for their biological activity. The three Cu(II) complexes all exhibited potent binding affinity to calf thymus DNA, the strongest interaction being between CuP2 and DNA. We studied the cytotoxicity of the complexes and ligands against different types of cancer cells (A549, H-1975, HepG2 and T47D), results showing the ligands are less cytotoxic; therefore, the anticancer activity of the complexes is improved by complexation. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of ligands and complexes was also evaluated against the normal cell line Hs 578Bst, complexes showing more negligible cytotoxicity than ligand. Moreover, the cellular uptake of these Cu(II) complexes was investigated using the extraction method and results suggested that CuP2 exhibits the best cellular uptake towards H-1975 cells. Interestingly, fluorescence microscopy experiments and flow cytometric analysis (cell cycle) were used to further investigate the potent anticancer activities.     

Imine‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes as Versatile Ligands in Ruthenium(II) p‐Cymene Anticancer Complexes: A Structure–Activity Relationship Study

A family of novel imine‐N‐heterocyclic carbene ruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C^N)Cl]PF₆⁻ (where C^N is an imine‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelating ligand with varying substituents) have been prepared and characterized. In this imine‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelating ligand framework, there are three potential sites that can be modified, which distinguishes this class of ligand and provides a body of flexibilities and opportunities to tune the cytotoxicity of these ruthenium(II) complexes. The influence of substituent effects of three tunable domains on the anticancer activity and catalytic ability in converting coenzyme NADH to NAD⁺ is investigated. This family of complexes displays an exceedingly distinct anticancer activity against A549 cancer cells, despite their close structural similarity. Complex 9 shows the highest anticancer activity in this series against A549 cancer cells (IC₅₀=14.36 μm ), with an approximately 1.5‐fold better activity than the clinical platinum drug cisplatin (IC₅₀=21.30 μm ) in A549 cancer cells. Mechanistic studies reveal that complex 9 mediates cell death mainly through cell stress, including cell cycle arrest, inducing apoptosis, increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, lysosomal damage is also detected by confocal microscopy.     

Cyclometalated Ruthenium(II) Anthraquinone Complexes Exhibit Strong Anticancer Activity in Hypoxic Tumor Cells

Hypoxia is the critical feature of the tumor microenvironment that is known to lead to resistance to many chemotherapeutic drugs. Six novel ruthenium(II) anthraquinone complexes were designed and synthesized; they exhibit similar or superior cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin in hypoxic HeLa, A549, and multidrug‐resistant (A549R) tumor cell lines. Their anticancer activities are related to their lipophilicity and cellular uptake; therefore, these physicochemical properties of the complexes can be changed by modifying the ligands to obtain better anticancer candidates. Complex 1 , the most potent member of the series, is highly active against hypoxic HeLa cancer cells (IC₅₀=0.53 μM ). This complex likely has 46‐fold better activity than cisplatin (IC₅₀=24.62 μM ) in HeLa cells. This complex tends to accumulate in the mitochondria and the nucleus of hypoxic HeLa cells. Further mechanistic studies show that complex 1 induced cell apoptosis during hypoxia through multiple pathways, including those of DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the inhibition of DNA replication and HIF‐1α expression, making it an outstanding candidate for further in vivo studies.     

Does cytotoxicity of metallointercalators correlate with cellular uptake or DNA affinity?

The cytotoxicity of the metallointercalators, [Pt(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(trans-1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane)](2+) ([56MERR]) and [Pt(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(trans-1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane)](2+) ([56MESS]), towards A549 human lung cancer cells was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The IC(50) value obtained following exposure of A549 cells to [56MESS] for 4 h was approximately three times smaller than that obtained when [56MERR] was administered under the same conditions, indicating that the former complex displayed greater cytotoxicity. Both IC(50) values were greater than that obtained after exposure of A549 cells to cisplatin, demonstrating that the latter compound was the most cytotoxic of the three examined. Microprobe synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) analyses of metallointercalator-treated A549 cells showed that platinum became localised in DNA-rich regions of the nucleus. In contrast, when the same cells were treated with cisplatin the metal became distributed throughout the cell. Determination of the maximum concentration of platinum present inside the cells using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) of platinum-treated cells suggested that there was greater uptake of [56MERR] compared to [56MESS] by the A549 cells, and that platinum uptake did not account for the greater toxicity of [56MESS], as assessed by the MTT assay. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies of solutions containing either [56MERR] or [56MESS], and a duplex hexadecamer molecule, showed the two metallointercalators displayed very similar affinity towards the nucleic acid. Overall these results indicate that the difference in cytotoxicity of the two platinum metallointercalators is probably the result of variations in their interactions with other cellular components.     

Fast,Facile and Solvent-Free Dry-Melt Synthesis of Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes: Simple Design with High Potency towards Cancerous Cells

A range of oxobis(phenyl-1,3-butanedione) vanadium(IV) complexes have been successfully synthesized from cheap starting materials and a simple and solvent-free one-pot dry-melt reaction. This direct, straightforward, fast and alternative approach to inorganic synthesis has the potential for a wide range of applications. Analytical studies confirm their successful synthesis, purity and solid-state coordination, and we report the use of such complexes as potential drug candidates for the treatment of cancer. After a 24 hour incubation of A549 lung carcinoma cells with the compounds, they reveal cytotoxicity values elevenfold greater than cisplatin and remain non-toxic towards normal cell types. Additionally, the complexes are stable over a range of physiological pH values and show the potential for interactions with bovine serum albumin.     

Synthesis,Subcellular Localization and Anticancer Mechanism Studies of Unsymmetrical Iridium(III) Complexes

Two novel unsymmetrical Ir(III) complexes [Ir(ppy)₂(N N)Cl₂] (N N=2-(pyrazin-2-yl)naphtha[1,2-e][1,2,4]triazine, Ir1 ; 2-(pyrazin-2-yl)-4b,4b’-dihydroaceanthryleno[1,2-e][1,2,4]triazine, Ir2 ) were developed as chemotherapy agents. Ir1 was mainly located in mitochondria. In contrast, Ir2 accumulated in mitochondria but subsequently migrated to the nucleus. Ir1 and Ir2 showed cytotoxicity toward cancerous cells, especially the cisplatin-resistant ones, indicating their ability to overcome cisplatin resistance. Although both Ir1 and Ir2 disrupted mitochondrial metabolism, they showed different cell death mechanisms. Ir1 induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant A549R cells. Ir2 was demonstrated to cause PARP-1 activated necroptosis in A549R cells. This study provides an experimental basis for the rational design of metal-based chemotherapeutic drugs.     

Synthesis,structure, characterization and biological evaluation of 3‐substituted 1‐pyridin‐2‐ylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐based copper(I)–phosphine complexes for anticancer drug screening

Copper(I) complexes of the types [Cu(N–N)(PPh₃)₂]NO₃ (LC41–LC44) and [Cu(N–N)(PPh₃)(NO₃)] (LC45) carrying 3‐substituted 1‐pyridine‐2‐ylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine (N–N) derivatives and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) ligands have been prepared. The synthesized copper(I)–phosphine complexes were fully characterized by NMR, IR, ESI‐MS and UV–visible spectroscopy as well as by cyclic voltammetry. Selected structures such as LC42, LC43 and LC45 were additionally analysed by single‐crystal X‐ray method, which show that copper(I) centre adopts a highly distorted tetrahedral geometry. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data of the complexes throw light on the nature of metal–ligand bonding. They display dπ–π* metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition and show quasireversible Cu^I/Cu^II metal oxidation. Among the copper(I)–phosphine complexes, LC41–LC44 exhibit moderate cytotoxicity (IC₅₀: 24 h, 67–74 μM; 48 h, 58–70 μM) against human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma A549 cells, whereas LC45 displays the best activity (IC₅₀: 24 h, 42 μM; 48 h, 34 μM) for A549 cancer cell line, which is better than that of the commercial antitumor drug cisplatin. All the complexes also displayed excellent selectivity by being relatively inactive against the human lung epithelial L132 normal cell line with selectivity index (SI) values ranging from 3.4 to 7.4. The complexes block cell cycle progression of A549 cells in G₀/G₁ phase. FACSVerse analyses are suggestive of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptotic cell death induced by the LC41, LC43 and LC45. The induction of apoptosis in A549 cells was shown by Annexin V with propidium iodide (PI) and 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining methods and established the ability of LC41, LC43 and LC45 to accumulate in the cell nuclei.     

Synthesis of complex compounds of methyl derivatives of 8-quinolineselenol with metals and their cytotoxic activity

A series of 2-methyl-, 4-methyl-, and 2,4-dimethyl-8-quinolineselenolates of zinc, cadmium, mercury, nickel, palladium, platinum, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth has been synthesized and their cytotoxicity has been studied on HT-1080 (human fibrosarcoma), MG-22A (mouse hepatoma), B16 (mouse melanoma), and Neuro 2A (mouse neuroblastoma) tumor cells. Mercury complexes were distinguished by high cytotoxicity on all the cell lines. Palladium complexes possessed somewhat lower activity and were significantly less toxic in relation to normal NIH 3T3 mouse embryo fibroblasts. All the studied metal 2-methyl-8-quinolineselenolates displayed high cytotoxicity on B16 melanoma, arsenic 4-methyl-8-quinolineselenolate acted most effectively on HT-1080 and MG-22A cells. Di(4-methyl-8-quinolyl) diselenide also possessed high cytotoxicity on these same cells. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 59–66, January, 2006.     

Diol glycidyl ether-bridged cyclens: preparation and their applications in gene delivery

Polymeric 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanes (cyclens) using diol glycidyl ether with different chain length as bridges (5a-e) were designed and synthesized from various diols, 1,7-diprotected cyclen and epichlorohydrin. The molecular weights of the title polymers were measured by GPC with good polydispersity. Agarose gel retardation and fluorescent titration using ethidium bromide showed good DNA-binding ability of 5. They could retard plasmid DNA (pDNA) at an N/P ratio of 4-6 and form polyplexes with sizes around 100-250 nm from an N/P ratio of 10 to 60 and relatively low zeta-potential values (5-22 mV). The cytotoxicity of 5 assayed by MTT is much lower than that of 20 kDa PEI. In vitro transfection against A549 and 293 cells showed that the transfection efficiency (TE) of 5c/DNA polyplexes is close to that of 20 kDa PEI at an N/P ratio of 5. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) of 5 was discussed in their DNA-binding, cytotoxicity, and transfection studies. The TE of 5c/DNA polyplexes could be improved by the introduction of 50 μM of chloroquine, the endosomolytic agents, to pretreated cells. These studies may extend the application areas of macrocyclic polyamines, especially for cyclen.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of pyridine and quinoline oxorhenium(V) complexes with tridentate (NS2, S3)/monodentate (s) coordination*

New oxorhenium complexes with tridentate 3-thia- and 3-methylazapentane-1,5-dithiolate and monodentate pyridine and quinoline derivatives have been synthesized. As a result of investigation of biological activity a high cytotoxicity was found for the synthesized complexes in relation to tumor cells. The specificity of the 2-pyridylthiolato[3-(N-methyl)azapentane-1,5-dithiolato]oxorhenium(V) cytotoxic action towards cells of mouse hepatoma MG-22A on a background of low acute toxicity was established.     

Design,Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and In Silico Study of Benzyloxybenzaldehyde Derivatives as Selective ALDH1A3 Inhibitors

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) has recently gained attention from researchers in the cancer field. Several studies have reported ALDH1A3 overexpression in different cancer types, which has been found to correlate with poor treatment recovery. Therefore, finding selective inhibitors against ALDH1A3 could result in new treatment options for cancer treatment. In this study, ALDH1A3-selective candidates were designed based on the physiological substrate resemblance, synthesized and investigated for ALDH1A1, ALDH1A3 and ALDH3A1 selectivity and cytotoxicity using ALDH-positive A549 and ALDH-negative H1299 cells. Two compounds (ABMM-15 and ABMM-16), with a benzyloxybenzaldehyde scaffold, were found to be the most potent and selective inhibitors for ALDH1A3, with IC₅₀ values of 0.23 and 1.29 µM, respectively. The results also show no significant cytotoxicity for ABMM-15 and ABMM-16 on either cell line. However, a few other candidates (ABMM-6, ABMM-24, ABMM-32) showed considerable cytotoxicity on H1299 cells, when compared to A549 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 14.0, 13.7 and 13.0 µM, respectively. The computational study supported the experimental results and suggested a good binding for ABMM-15 and ABMM-16 to the ALDH1A3 isoform. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that benzyloxybenzaldehyde might be considered a promising scaffold for further drug discovery aimed at exploiting ALDH1A3 for therapeutic intervention.     

Organometallic ruthenium and iridium phosphorus complexes: Synthesis,cellular imaging,organelle targeting and anticancer applications

The use of metal complexes containing phosphorus ligands as anticancer agents has not been well studied. In this work, eight novel half‐sandwich Ir^III and Ru^II compounds with P^P‐chelating ligands have been synthesized and fully characterized, and alongside two crystal structures were reported. All eight complexes displayed highly potent antiproliferative activity, up to nine times more potent than the clinical anticancer drug cisplatin towards A549 lung cancer cells. Complex Ir1 , which has a simpler structure and highly potent antiproliferative activity, was selected to investigate in further mechanistic studies. No hydrolysis and nucleobase binding occurred for complex Ir1 . In order to elucidate subcellular localization, the self‐luminescence of the complex Ir1 was utilized. Ir1 can specifically target lysosomes and facilitate excessive production of reactive oxygen species, resulting in lysosomal membrane permeabilization in A549 cells. Release of cathepsin B and changes in the mitochondria membrane potential also contributed to the observed cytotoxicity of Ir1 , which demonstrated an anticancer action mechanism that was different from that of cisplatin. The favorable results from biological and chemical research demonstrated that these types of complexes hold significant theranostic potential.     

In vitro imaging and human serum albumin responsive dimeric lanthanide DO3A complex

Two series of dimeric DO3A (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclodecane-1,4,7-triacetate) lanthanide complexes (LnL(1)-LnL(2), Ln = Eu, Gd, and Tb) have been synthesized with two different bridged chromophores. The X-ray structures of dimeric LnL(1) (Ln = Gd and Tb) complexes show that each metal ion has nine coordination numbers with eight directly bound donor atoms of the ligand and one oxygen donor from the water molecule. Photophysical measurements indicate that the bridged antenna in LnL(2) gives a higher efficiency than that of LnL(1) and is responsive to the protein Human Serum Albumin (HSA), giving an f-f luminescence signal enhancement with a binding constant log K = 4.84. In vitro imaging of EuL(1) and EuL(2) in HeLa cells has been recorded, and EuL(2) has demonstrated a higher rate of cellular uptake and low cytotoxicity (IC(50) = 3 mM).     

Influence of terminal substitution on structural, DNA, protein binding, anticancer and antibacterial activities of palladium(II) complexes containing 3-methoxy salicylaldehyde-4(N) substituted thiosemicarbazones

The variable chelating behavior of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde-4(N)-substituted thiosemicarbazones was observed in equimolar reactions with [PdCl(2)(PPh(3))(2)]. The new complexes were characterized by various analytical, spectroscopic techniques (mass, (1)H-NMR, absorption, IR). All the new complexes were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic results showed that the ligands H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(4) are coordinated as binegative tridentate ONS donor ligands in the complexes 1 and 4 by forming six and five member rings. However, the ligands H(2)L(2) and H(2)L(3) bound to palladium in 2 and 3 as uninegative bidentate NS donors by forming a five member chelate ring. From this study, it was found that the substitution on terminal 4(N)-nitrogen may have an influence on the chelating ability of thiosemicarbazone. The presence of hydrogen bonding in 2 and 3 might be responsible for preventing the coordination of phenolic oxygen to the metal ion. The interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been explored by absorption and emission titration methods. Based on the observations, an electrostatic binding mode of DNA has been proposed. The protein binding studies were monitored by quenching of tryptophan and tyrosine residues in the presence of complexes using Lysozyme as model protein. Antibacterial activity studies of the complexes have been screened against pathogenic bacteria such as Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MIC50 values of the complexes showed that they exhibited significant activity against the pathogens and among them, 3 exhibited higher activity. Further, anticancer activity of the complexes on the lung cancer cell line A549 has also been studied.     

Drug pH-sensitive release in vitro and targeting ability of polyamidoamine dendrimer complexes for tumor cells

Recently, dendrimers have been widely used in medical applications such as drug delivery and gene transfection. In this study, a pH-sensitive diblock copolymer of poly(methacryloyl sulfadimethoxine) (PSD) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified by lactose (LA-PEG-b-PSD) was synthesized. The pK(a) value of the LA-PEG-b-PSD was also measured. Then, polyamidoamine (PAMAM) complexes were prepared with PAMAM (G4.0) and LA-PEG-b-PSD by electrostatic interaction. To investigate drug pH-sensitive release in vitro, doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded in PAMAM. A higher drug cumulative release from LA-PEG-b-PSD/PAMAM complexes in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was found at pH 6.5 than at pH 7.4. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of PAMAM complexes were investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and confocal microscopy. LA-PEG-b-PSD/PAMAM/DOX complexes were able to enhance the cytotoxicity of DOX against HepG2 cells at pH 7.4. Confocal microscopy showed a higher cellular uptake of PEG-b-PSD/PAMAM complexes at pH 6.5. PAMAM complexes modified by lactose showed a higher affinity for hepatic cancer cells than those without lactose at pH 7.4. These results suggest that LA-PEG-b-PSD/PAMAM complexes exhibit selective targeting and cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. In vivo antitumor studies showed that the LA-PEG-b-PSD/PAMAM/DOX complexes displayed higher antitumor efficacy compared with non-targeted PAMAM/DOX and DOX solution. These results indicate that this strategy should be applicable to the treatment of liver cancers.     

Towards Identification of Essential Structural Elements of Organoruthenium(II)-Pyrithionato Complexes for Anticancer Activity

An organoruthenium(II) complex with pyrithione (2-mercaptopyridine N-oxide) 1 a has previously been identified by our group as a compound with promising anticancer potential without cytotoxicity towards non-cancerous cells. To expand the rather limited research on compounds of this type, an array of novel chlorido and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (pta) organoruthenium(II) complexes with methyl-substituted pyrithiones has been prepared. After thorough investigation of the aqueous stability of these complexes, their modes of action have been elucidated at the cellular level. Minor structural alterations in the ruthenium-pyrithionato compounds resulted in fine-tuning of their cytotoxicities. The best performing compounds, 1 b and 2 b , with a chlorido or pta ligand bound to ruthenium, respectively, and a methyl group at the 3-position of the pyrithione scaffold, have been further investigated. Both compounds trigger early apoptosis, induce the generation of reactive oxygen species and G1 arrest in A549 cancer cells, and show no strong interaction with DNA. However, only 1 b also inhibits thioredoxin reductase. Wound healing assays and mitochondrial function evaluation have revealed differences between these two compounds at the cellular level.     

1R,3S-1,2,2-三甲基-1,3-环戊二胺为配体的铂髤配合物的合成、表征和抗肿瘤活性

本文合成了9种含有由天然D( )鄄樟脑衍生的1R,3S鄄1,2,2鄄三甲基鄄1,3鄄环戊二胺(A)为配体的铂髤配合物[Pt髤AX]{其中,X=(CH2)3C(COO-)2(1,1鄄环丁烷二羧酸根),2CH3OCH2COO-,2CH3CH2OCH2COO-,2CH3(CH2)3OCH2COO-,[OCH(CH3)COO]2-(乳酸根),(OCH2COO)2-(乙醇酸根),2CH3OCH2CH2OCH2COO-,2CH3CH2OCH2CH2OCH2COO-和2CH3(CH2)3OCH2CH2OCH2COO-}。通过元素分析、热重分析、红外光谱、1H核磁共振谱和电喷雾质谱等对配合物进行了表征。体外生物活性测试表明,部分配合物对A549人肺癌细胞和HCT鄄116人结肠癌细胞具有较强的抗肿瘤活性。     

Novel 2-aminoimidazole-4-one complexes of copper(II) and cobalt(II): Synthesis,structural characterization and cytotoxicity

A series of 2-aminosubstituted (5Z)-3-phenyl-5-(pyridine-2-ylmethylene)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazole-4-ones (L) was prepared by the reaction of the corresponding 2-alkylthio-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazole-4-ones with morpholine or piperidine in the presence of ytterbium(III) triflate. The resulting ligands were subsequently reacted with CuCl₂·2H₂O and CoCl₂·6H₂O to give the corresponding copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes, respectively. Analysis revealed that the complexes were formed with an LMCl₂ (M = Cu, Co)-type composition in all cases. The structures of the three cobalt complexes prepared in this way were determined by X-ray crystallography. The results revealed that the cobalt ions in these complexes were tetrahedrally coordinated to two chloride anions and two nitrogen atoms from the pyridine and imidazole moieties of the ligand. The electrochemical properties of the ligands and their complexes were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, and the results revealed that the first stage in the reduction of the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes involved the reversible formation of the corresponding Co(I) and Cu(I) complexes, respectively. The cytotoxicity activities of the organic ligands and their complexes were evaluated against several cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, A549 and HEK293 cells. The copper complexes of the organic ligands bearing a phenyl or allyl moiety at their N(3) position together with a piperidine substituent at the 2-position of their imidazolone ring exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity of all of the compounds tested in the current study.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of complex compounds of tin, vanadium, and molybdenum with quinolinethiol and its methyl and methoxy derivatives

A series of 8-quinolinethiolates, and 3-methyl-, 4-methyl-, 5-methyl-, 6-methyl-, 7-methyl-, and 6-methoxy-8-quinolinethiolates of tin(II), vanadium(IV), and molybdenum(VI) has been synthesized. Their cytotoxicity on HT-1080 tumor cells (human fibrosarcoma) and MG-22A (mouse hepatoma) cells has been studied. It was established that all of the investigated complexes of 8-quinolinethiol and majority of the complexes of 8-quinolinethiol derivatives possessed very high cytotoxicity towards both cell lines. Their toxicity in relation to mouse embryo fibroblasts NIH 3T3 depended on the position of the substituent in the quinoline ring. Complexes of tin and vanadium with 4-methyl-, 5-methyl-, and 6-methoxy-8-quinolinethiol derivatives were less toxic. 4-Methyl-, 5-methyl-, and 6-methoxy-8-quinolinethiolates of vanadium demonstrated the highest selectivity of cytotoxic action.     

Emissive and Cell‐Permeable 3‐Pyridyl‐ and 3‐Pyrazolyl‐4‐azaxanthone Lanthanide Complexes and Their Behaviour in cellulo

A series of seven emissive europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes was prepared, incorporating a 3‐pyridyl‐4‐azaxanthone or 3‐pyrazolyl‐4‐azaxanthone sensitising moiety within a polydentate macrocyclic ligand. High overall emission quantum yields in aqueous media are attenuated in the presence of protein or certain oxy anions due to displacement of the N,N′‐chelated sensitiser. Nevertheless, these complexes are taken into cells and tend to localise over the first few hours in mitochondria before being trafficked to endosomal compartments. Cell uptake studies, in the presence of competitive inhibitors or promoters of well‐defined uptake pathways, reveal a common uptake mechanism involving macropinocytosis.