Anti-cancer activity of di- and tri-organotin(IV) compounds with D-(+)-Galacturonic acid on human tumor cells

• Published in: Journal of inorganic biochemistry 2018-11, Vol.188, p.102-112
• Main Authors: Attanzio, Alessandro, Ippolito, Maristella, Girasolo, Maria Assunta, Saiano, Filippo, Rotondo, Archimede, Rubino, Simona, Mondello, Luigi, Capobianco, Massimo L., Sabatino, Piera, Tesoriere, Luisa, Casella, Girolamo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - drug therapy; Adenocarcinoma - metabolism; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Anti cancer; Antineoplastic Agents - chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis - drug effects; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Caco-2 Cells; Cell Survival - drug effects; D-(+)-Galacturonic acid; HCT-116; HCT116 Cells; Hexuronic Acids - chemistry; Hexuronic Acids - pharmacology; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Intestinal Neoplasms - metabolism; Intestinal Neoplasms - pathology; MCF-7; MCF-7 Cells; NMR; Organotin Compounds - chemical synthesis; Organotin Compounds - chemistry; Organotin Compounds - pharmacology; Organotin(IV)
• ISSN: 0162-0134; 1873-3344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.04.006

We have compared the anti-proliferative activity in vitro, of R2SnGala (1-3) [R = Me, n-Bu, Ph] and novel R3SnGala (4, 5) [R = Me, n-Bu] with D-(+)-Galacturonic acid [HGala; Galaq-, q = (2) and (1) for R2SnGala and R3SnGala, respectively] compounds, towards human tumor cell lines of intestinal carcinoma (HCT-116) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7). The new synthesized 4 and 5 compounds were characterized, in solution, by 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR, that showed that HGala acts as monoanionic moiety and evidenced the dynamic behavior of the compounds, due to inter-conversions involving the anomeric carbon atom of the ligand. Cell viability, apoptosis induction and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the compounds, in the micro-submicromolar range, changed in the order of the organotin(IV) moieties, according to 5 > 3 > 2, while 1 and 4, containing MenSn(IV) (n = 2,3) moieties, were ineffective. Compound 5 showed peculiar cytotoxic effects. It did not cause time dependent inhibition of cell growth nor accumulated into the cells. Cell death induced by the active 2, 3, and 5, was shown to be apoptotic by measuring the exposure of phosphatidylserine to the outer membrane and the loss of mitochondrial potential. All the cytotoxic compounds induced an accumulation of cells in the subG0/G1phase, while only 2 and 3 perturbed the cell cycle confining viable cells in G0/G1phase. Finally, none of the compounds investigated affected the viability of normal intestinal or liver cells, indicating selectivity towards tumor cells. Di- and tri-organotin(IV) compounds with D-Galacturonic acid showed higher anti-proliferative activity, compared to cisplatin, towards MCF-7 or HCT-116 cell lines, while they were ineffective towards normal-like differentiated Caco-2 and Chang liver cells. [Display omitted] •Two organotin(IV) compounds with D-(+)-galacturonic acid synthesized and characterized.•Antiproliferative activity of di- and tri-organotin(IV) – galacturonate compounds tested.•Superior activity of three of the tested compounds relative to cis-platin established.•The compounds studied are then proposed as promising organometallic-based drugs.