Synthesis and biological characterization of organoruthenium complexes with 8-hydroxyquinolines

• Published in: Journal of inorganic biochemistry 2018-09, Vol.186, p.187-196
• Main Authors: Kljun, Jakob, León, Ignacio E., Peršič, Špela, Cadavid-Vargas, Juan F., Etcheverry, Susana B., He, Weijiang, Bai, Yang, Turel, Iztok
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A549 Cells; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemical synthesis; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis - drug effects; Humans; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Organometallic Compounds - chemical synthesis; Organometallic Compounds - chemistry; Organometallic Compounds - pharmacology; Oxyquinoline - chemistry; Oxyquinoline - pharmacology; Ruthenium - chemistry; Ruthenium - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0162-0134; 1873-3344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.05.009

In this study we report the synthesis, characterization and a thorough biological evaluation of twelve organoruthenium–8-hydroxyquinolinato (Ru-hq) complexes. The chosen hqH ligands bear various halogen atoms in different positions which enables to study effect of the substituents on physico-chemical and biological properties. The determined crystal structures of novel complexes expectedly show the cymene ring, a bidentately coordinated deprotonated hq and a halide ligand (chlorido or iodido) coordinated to the ruthenium central ion. In previous studies the anticancer potential of organoruthenium complex with 8-hydroxyquinoline ligand clioquinol was well established and we have decided to perform an extended biological evaluation (antibacterial and antitumor activity) of the whole series of halo-substituted analogs. Beside the cytotoxic potential of studied compounds also the effect of two selected complexes (9 and 10) on apoptosis induction in MG-63 and A549 cells was also studied via externalization of phosphatidylserine at the outer plasma membrane leaflet. Both selected complexes that gave best preliminary cytotoxicity results contain bromo substituted hq ligands. Apoptosis induction results are in agreement with the cell viability assays suggesting the higher and more selective anticancer activity of complex 10 in comparison to complex 9 on MG-63 cells. Herein we present the study of the cytotoxic potential and apoptosis induction of a series of organoruthenium 8-hydroxyquinolinato complexes. Bromo substituted ligands gave best preliminary cytotoxicity results. Apoptosis induction results are in agreement with the cell viability assays. The most toxic compounds displayed IC50 values in the low micromolar range. [Display omitted] •Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of twelve organoruthenium–8-hydroxyquinolinato (Ru-hq) complexes•Investigation of anticancer and antibacterial activity•Study of apoptosis induction•Incorporation of bromo substituents on ligand is highly beneficial.