New cerium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes as cytotoxic agents

The cerium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes of 5‐aminoorotic acid were synthesized and characterized by means of spectral data (IR, Raman, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) and elemental analysis. Significant differences in the IR spectra of the complexes were observed as compared with the spectrum of the ligand. A comparative analysis of the Raman spectra of the complexes with that of the free 5‐aminoorotic acid allowed a straightforward assignment of the vibrations of the ligand groups involved in coordination. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra confirmed the formation of the complexes. The ligand and the complexes were tested for the cytotoxic activities on the chronic myeloid leukemia‐derived K‐562, overexpressing the BCR‐ABL fusion protein, and the non‐Hodgkin lymphoma‐derived DOHH‐2, characterized by a rexpression of the antiapoptotic protein bcl‐2 cell lines. The results obtained indicate that the tested compounds exerted a considerable cytotoxic activity upon the evaluated cell lines in a concentration‐dependent manner, which enabled the construction of dose–response curves and the calculation of the corresponding IC₅₀ values. Cytotoxicity towards tumor cells was determined for a broad concentration range. The inorganic salts exerted a very weak cytotoxic effect on these cells that is in contrast to the lanthanide complexes, which exhibited potent cytotoxic activity towards K‐562 and DOHH‐2 cell lines. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.