1
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Neves SP, Bomfim LM, Kataura T, Carvalho SG, Nogueira ML, Dias RB, Valverde LDF, Gurgel Rocha CA, Soares MBP, Silva MMD, Batista AA, Korolchuk VI, Bezerra DP. Ruthenium complex containing 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione inhibits hepatic cancer stem cells by suppressing Akt/mTOR signalling and leading to apoptotic and autophagic cell death. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117059. [PMID: 38955086 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a unique subset of cancer cells that promote tumour growth, maintenance, and therapeutic resistance, leading to recurrence. In the present work, the ability of a ruthenium complex containing 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione (RCT), with the chemical formula [Ru(tzdt)(bipy)(dppb)]PF6, to inhibit hepatic CSCs was explored in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. RCT exhibited potent cytotoxicity to solid and haematological cancer cell lines and reduced the clonogenic potential, CD133+ and CD44high cell percentages and tumour spheroid growth of HepG2 cells. RCT also inhibited cell motility, as observed in the wound healing assay and transwell cell migration assay. RCT reduced the levels of Akt1, phospho-Akt (Ser473), phospho-Akt (Thr308), phospho-mTOR (Ser2448), and phospho-S6 (Ser235/Ser236) in HepG2 cells, indicating that interfering with Akt/mTOR signalling is a mechanism of action of RCT. The levels of active caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (Asp214) were increased in RCT-treated HepG2 cells, indicating the induction of apoptotic cell death. In addition, RCT modulated the autophagy markers LC3B and p62/SQSTM1 in HepG2 cells and increased mitophagy in a mt-Keima-transfected mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell model, and RCT-induced cytotoxicity was partially prevented by autophagy inhibitors. Furthermore, mutant Atg5-/- MEFs and PentaKO HeLa cells (human cervical adenocarcinoma with five autophagy receptor knockouts) were less sensitive to RCT cytotoxicity than their parental cell lines, indicating that RCT induces autophagy-mediated cell death. Taken together, these data indicate that RCT is a novel potential anti-liver cancer drug with a suppressive effect on CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara P Neves
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Larissa M Bomfim
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Tetsushi Kataura
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Sabrine G Carvalho
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Mateus L Nogueira
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Rosane B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil; Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil; Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 44036-900, Brazil
| | - Ludmila de F Valverde
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil; Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Sergipe, 49400-000, Brazil
| | - Clarissa A Gurgel Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil; Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil; Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Salvador, Bahia, 41253-190, Brazil
| | - Milena B P Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil; SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia, 41650-010, Brazil
| | - Monize M da Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13561-901 Brazil
| | - Alzir A Batista
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13561-901 Brazil
| | - Viktor I Korolchuk
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Daniel P Bezerra
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil.
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2
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Bomfim LM, Neves SP, Coelho AMRM, Nogueira ML, Dias RB, Valverde LDF, Rocha CAG, Soares MBP, Batista AA, Correa RS, Bezerra DP. Ru(II)-based complexes containing 2-thiouracil derivatives suppress liver cancer stem cells by targeting NF-κB and Akt/mTOR signaling. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:270. [PMID: 38830859 PMCID: PMC11148080 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02036-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a rare population of cancer cells related to tumor initiation and maintenance. These cells are primarily responsible for tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, recurrence, and resistance to chemotherapy. In this paper, we demonstrated the ability of Ru(II)-based complexes containing 2-thiouracil derivatives with the chemical formulas trans-[Ru(2TU)(PPh3)2(bipy)]PF6 (1) and trans-[Ru(6m2TU)(PPh3)2(bipy)]PF6 (2) (where 2TU = 2-thiouracil and 6m2TU = 6-methyl-2-thiouracil) to suppress liver CSCs by targeting NF-κB and Akt/mTOR signaling. Complexes 1 and 2 displayed potent cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines and suppressed liver CSCs from HepG2 cells. Increased phosphatidylserine exposure, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, increased PARP (Asp214) cleavage, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and cytoplasmic shrinkage were detected in HepG2 cells treated with these complexes. Mechanistically, complexes 1 and 2 target NF-κB and Akt/mTOR signaling in HepG2 cells. Cell motility inhibition was also detected in HepG2 cells treated with these complexes. Complexes 1 and 2 also inhibited tumor progression in mice with HepG2 cell xenografts and exhibited tolerable systemic toxicity. Taken together, these results indicate that these complexes are new anti-HCC drug candidates that can suppress liver CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa M Bomfim
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Sara P Neves
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Amanda M R M Coelho
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Mateus L Nogueira
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Rosane B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 44036-900, Brazil
| | - Ludmila de F Valverde
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Sergipe, 49400-000, Brazil
| | - Clarissa A G Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-909, Brazil
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Salvador, Bahia, 41253-190, Brazil
| | - Milena B P Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia, 41650-010, Brazil
| | - Alzir A Batista
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, São Carlos, 13561-901, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S Correa
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Daniel P Bezerra
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil.
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3
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D’Amato A, Mariconda A, Iacopetta D, Ceramella J, Catalano A, Sinicropi MS, Longo P. Complexes of Ruthenium(II) as Promising Dual-Active Agents against Cancer and Viral Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1729. [PMID: 38139855 PMCID: PMC10747139 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor responses to medical care and the failure of pharmacological treatment for many high-frequency diseases, such as cancer and viral infections, have been widely documented. In this context, numerous metal-based substances, including cisplatin, auranofin, various gold metallodrugs, and ruthenium complexes, are under study as possible anticancer and antiviral agents. The two Ru(III) and Ru(II) complexes, namely, BOLD-100 and RAPTA-C, are presently being studied in a clinical trial and preclinical studies evaluation, respectively, as anticancer agents. Interestingly, BOLD-100 has also recently demonstrated antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last years, much effort has been dedicated to discovering new dual anticancer-antiviral agents. Ru-based complexes could be very suitable in this respect. Thus, this review focuses on the most recent studies regarding newly synthesized Ru(II) complexes for use as anticancer and/or antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta D’Amato
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.D.); (P.L.)
| | | | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.D.); (P.L.)
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4
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Santos LDS, Silva VR, de Castro MVL, Dias RB, Valverde LDF, Rocha CAG, Soares MBP, Quadros CA, Dos Santos ER, Oliveira RMM, Carlos RM, Nogueira PCL, Bezerra DP. New ruthenium-xanthoxylin complex eliminates colorectal cancer stem cells by targeting the heat shock protein 90 chaperone. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:832. [PMID: 38102125 PMCID: PMC10724293 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06330-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we describe a novel ruthenium-xanthoxylin complex, [Ru(phen)2(xant)](PF6) (RXC), that can eliminate colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90. RXC exhibits potent cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines and primary cancer cells, causing apoptosis in HCT116 CRC cells, as observed by cell morphology, YO-PRO-1/PI staining, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial depolarization, and PARP cleavage (Asp214). Additionally, RXC can downregulate the HSP90AA1 and HSP90B1 genes and the expression of HSP90 protein, as well as the expression levels of its downstream/client elements Akt1, Akt (pS473), mTOR (pS2448), 4EBP1 (pT36/pT45), GSK-3β (pS9), and NF-κB p65 (pS529), implying that these molecular chaperones can be molecular targets for RXC. Moreover, this compound inhibited clonogenic survival, the percentage of the CRC stem cell subpopulation, and colonosphere formation, indicating that RXC can eliminate CRC stem cells. RXC reduced cell migration and invasion, decreased vimentin and increased E-cadherin expression, and induced an autophagic process that appeared to be cytoprotective, as autophagy inhibitors enhanced RXC-induced cell death. In vivo studies showed that RXC inhibits tumor progression and experimental metastasis in mice with CRC HCT116 cell xenografts. Taken together, these results highlight the potential of the ruthenium complex RXC in CRC therapy with the ability to eliminate CRC stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano de S Santos
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Valdenizia R Silva
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Maria V L de Castro
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Rosane B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, 40110-909, Brazil
| | - Ludmila de F Valverde
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Clarissa A G Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propedeutics, School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, 40110-909, Brazil
| | - Milena B P Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, BA, 41650-010, Brazil
| | - Claudio A Quadros
- São Rafael Hospital, Rede D'Or/São Luiz, Salvador, BA, 41253-190, Brazil
- Bahia State University, Salvador, BA, 41150-000, Brazil
| | - Edjane R Dos Santos
- Institute of Natural, Human and Social Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop, MT, 78557-267, Brazil
| | - Regina M M Oliveira
- Coordination of Science and Technology, Balsas Science Center, Federal University of Maranhão, Balsas, MA, 65800-000, Brazil
| | - Rose M Carlos
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, 13561-901, Brazil
| | - Paulo C L Nogueira
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, 49100-000, Brazil
| | - Daniel P Bezerra
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, BA, 40296-710, Brazil.
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5
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Reardon MM, Guerrero M, Alatrash N, MacDonnell FM. Exploration of the Pharmacophore for Cytoskeletal Targeting Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complexes. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300347. [PMID: 37574460 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Ruthenium(II) trisdiimine complexes of the formula, [Ru(dip)n (L-L)3-n ]2+ , where n=0-3; dip=4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; L-L=2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were prepared and tested for cytotoxicity in two cell lines (H358, MCF7). Cellular uptake and subcellular localization were determined by harvesting treated cells and determining the ruthenium concentration in whole or fractionated cells (cytosolic, nuclear, mitochondrial/ ER/Golgi, and cytoskeletal proteins) by Ru ICP-MS. The logP values for the chloride salts of these complexes were measured and the data were analyzed to determine the role of lipophilicity versus structure in the various biological assays. Cellular uptake increased with lipophilicity but shows the biggest jump when the complex contains two or more dip ligands. Significantly, preferential cytoskeletal localization is also correlated with increased cytotoxicity. All of the RPCs promote tubulin polymerization in vitro, but [Ru(dip)2 phen]2+ and [Ru(dip)3 ]2+ show the strongest activity. Analysis of the pellet formed by centrifugation of MTs formed in the presence of [Ru(dip)2 phen]2+ establish a binding stoichiometry of one RPC per tubulin heterodimer. Complexes of the general formula [Ru(dip)2 (L-L)]2+ possess the necessary characteristics to target the cytoskeleton in live cells and increase cytotoxicity, however the nature of the L-L ligand does influence the extent of the effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Reardon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX, 76109, USA
| | - Matthew Guerrero
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX, 76109, USA
| | - Nagham Alatrash
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX, 76109, USA
| | - Frederick M MacDonnell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX, 76109, USA
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Tang H, Guo X, Yu W, Gao J, Zhu X, Huang Z, Ou W, Zhang H, Chen L, Chen J. Ruthenium(II) complexes as mitochondrial inhibitors of topoisomerase induced A549 cell apoptosis. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 246:112295. [PMID: 37348172 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Two new ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(dip)2(PPβC)]PF6 (Ru1, dip = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, PPβC = N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)-1-phenyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxamide) and [Ru(phen)2(PPβC)]PF6 (Ru2, phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline) with β-carboline derivative PPβC as the primary ligand, were designed and synthesized. Ru1 and Ru2 displayed higher antiproliferative activity than cisplatin against the test cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 to 3.6 μM. Moreover, Ru1 and Ru2 preferentially accumulated in mitochondria and caused a series of changes in mitochondrial events, including the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, the damage of mitochondrial DNA, the depletion of cellular ATP, and the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Then, it induced caspase-3/7-mediated A549 cell apoptosis. More importantly, both complexes could act as topoisomerase I catalytic inhibitors to inhibit mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Accordingly, the developed Ru(II) complexes hold great potential to be developed as novel therapeutics for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Tang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China
| | - Xinhua Guo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China
| | - Wenzhu Yu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China
| | - Jie Gao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China
| | - Xufeng Zhu
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China
| | - Zunnan Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Computer-Aided Drug Design of Dongguan City, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, PR China
| | - Wenhui Ou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China
| | - Hanfu Zhang
- School of Molecular Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, WA, Australia
| | - Lanmei Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Computer-Aided Drug Design of Dongguan City, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, PR China.
| | - Jincan Chen
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Computer-Aided Drug Design of Dongguan City, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, PR China.
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7
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Gai S, He L, He M, Zhong X, Jiang C, Qin Y, Jiang M. Anticancer Activity and Mode of Action of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II) Complexes with 5-Chloro-2- N-(2-quinolylmethylene)aminophenol. Molecules 2023; 28:4876. [PMID: 37375431 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing a new generation of anticancer metal-based drugs that can both kill tumor cells and inhibit cell migration is a promising strategy. Herein, we synthesized three Cu(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II) complexes derived from 5-chloro-2-N-(2-quinolylmethylene)aminophenol (C1-C3). Among these complexes, the Cu(II) complex (C1) showed significantly greater cytotoxicity toward lung cancer cell lines than cisplatin. C1 inhibited A549 cell metastasis and suppressed the growth of the A549 tumor in vivo. In addition, we confirmed the anticancer mechanism of C1 by triggering multiple mechanisms, including inducing mitochondrial apoptosis, acting on DNA, blocking cell cycle arrest, inducing cell senescence, and inducing DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Gai
- Key Laboratory for Zhuang and Yao Pharmaceutical Quality Biology, School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin 546199, China
| | - Liqin He
- Key Laboratory for Zhuang and Yao Pharmaceutical Quality Biology, School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin 546199, China
| | - Mingxian He
- Key Laboratory for Zhuang and Yao Pharmaceutical Quality Biology, School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin 546199, China
| | - Xuwei Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Zhuang and Yao Pharmaceutical Quality Biology, School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin 546199, China
| | - Caiyun Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Zhuang and Yao Pharmaceutical Quality Biology, School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin 546199, China
| | - Yiming Qin
- Key Laboratory for Zhuang and Yao Pharmaceutical Quality Biology, School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin 546199, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Zhuang and Yao Pharmaceutical Quality Biology, School of Food and Biochemical Engineering, Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Laibin 546199, China
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8
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Hu H, Zhang H, Zhong R, Yang Y, Huang C, Chen J, Liang L, Chen Y, Liu Y. Synthesis, RNA-sequence and evaluation of anticancer efficacy of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes toward HepG2 cells. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 244:112230. [PMID: 37084581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
In this article, four new Ru(II) complexes [Ru(dmbpy)2(TFBIP)](PF6)2 (dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, TFPIP = 2-(4'-trifluoromethyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) (Ru1), [Ru(bpy)2(TFBIP)](PF6)2 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) (Ru2), [Ru(phen)2(TFBIP)](PF6)2 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) (Ru3) and [Ru(dmp)2(TFBIP)](PF6)2 (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) (Ru4) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, HRMS, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 19F NMR. The in vitro anticancer effect of the complexes on HepG2, A549, B16, HeLa, BEL-7402 and non-cancer LO2 cells was screened using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The results illustrate that the complexes display moderate anticancer activity. Apoptotic assay with Annexin V/PI double staining method indicated that complexes induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Also, the complexes interfere with the mitochondrial functions, accompanied by the production of intracellular ROS as well as a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. The results obtained from the western blot demonstrated that the complexes upregulate pro-apoptotic Bax and downregulate anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, which further activates caspase 3 and promotes the cleavage of PARP. RNA-sequence showed that the complexes upregulate the expression of 40 genes and downregulate 66 genes. Antitumour in vivo demonstrated that Ru1 inhibits the tumor growth with a high inhibitory rate of 51.19%. Taken together, these results revealed that complexes Ru1, Ru2, Ru3 and Ru4 induce cell death in HepG2 cells via autophagy and a ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyan Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Huiwen Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Ruitong Zhong
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, 510317, PR China.
| | - Chunxia Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Lijuan Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yichuan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yunjun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center of Topical Precise Drug Delivery System, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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9
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Ferraro MG, Bocchetti M, Riccardi C, Trifuoggi M, Paduano L, Montesarchio D, Misso G, Santamaria R, Piccolo M, Irace C. Triple Negative Breast Cancer Preclinical Therapeutic Management by a Cationic Ruthenium-Based Nucleolipid Nanosystem. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076473. [PMID: 37047448 PMCID: PMC10094725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on compelling preclinical evidence concerning the progress of our novel ruthenium-based metallotherapeutics, we are focusing research efforts on challenging indications for the treatment of invasive neoplasms such as the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This malignancy mainly afflicts younger women, who are black, or who have a BRCA1 mutation. Because of faster growing and spreading, TNBC differs from other invasive breast cancers having fewer treatment options and worse prognosis, where existing therapies are mostly ineffective, resulting in a large unmet biomedical need. In this context, we benefited from an experimental model of TNBC both in vitro and in vivo to explore the effects of a biocompatible cationic liposomal nanoformulation, named HoThyRu/DOTAP, able to effectively deliver the antiproliferative ruthenium(III) complex AziRu, thus resulting in a prospective candidate drug. As part of the multitargeting mechanisms featuring metal-based therapeutics other than platinum-containing agents, we herein validate the potential of HoThyRu/DOTAP liposomes to act as a multimodal anticancer agent through inhibition of TNBC cell growth and proliferation, as well as migration and invasion. The here-obtained preclinical findings suggest a potential targeting of the complex pathways network controlling invasive and migratory cancer phenotypes. Overall, in the field of alternative chemotherapy to platinum-based drugs, these outcomes suggest prospective brand-new settings for the nanostructured AziRu complex to get promising goals for the treatment of metastatic TNBC.
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Dömötör O, Teixeira RG, Spengler G, Avecilla F, Marques F, Lenis-Rojas OA, Matos CP, de Almeida RFM, Enyedy ÉA, Tomaz AI. Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with benzothiophene and benzimidazole derivatives: Synthesis, antitumor activity, solution studies and biospeciation. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 238:112058. [PMID: 36375357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.112058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
With the aim to incorporate pharmacophore motifs into the Ru(II)-polypyridyl framework, compounds [Ru(II)(1,10-phenantroline)2(2-(2-pyridyl)benzo[b]thiophene)](CF3SO3)2 (1) and [Ru(II)(1,10-phenantroline)2(2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole)](CF3SO3)2 (2) were prepared, characterized and tested for their antitumor potential. The solid-state structure of the compounds was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The solution behavior of both complexes was investigated, namely their solubility, stability, and lipophilicity in physiological mimetic conditions, as well as an eventual uptake by passive diffusion. In vitro anticancer activity of the complexes on ovarian and different colon cancer cells and apoptosis induction by the complexes were studied. A slow transformation process was observed for complex 1 in aqueous solution when exposed to sunlight, while complex 2 undergoes deprotonation (pKa = 7.59). The lipophilicity of this latter complex depends strongly on the pH and ionic strength. In contrast, 1 is rather hydrophilic under various conditions. Complex 1 was highly cytotoxic on Colo-205 human colon (IC50 = 7.87 μM) and A2780 ovarian (IC50 = 2.2 μM) adenocarcinoma cell lines, while 2 displayed moderate anticancer activity (30.9 μM and 18.0 μM, respectively). The complexes induced late apoptosis and necrosis. Only a weak binding of the complexes to human serum albumin, the main transport protein in blood serum, was found. However, a more significant binding to calf thymus DNA was observed in UV-visible titrations and fluorometric dye displacement studies. Detailed analysis of fluorescence lifetime data collected for the latter systems reveals not only the partial intercalation of the complexes, but goes beyond the usual simplified interpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Dömötör
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Ricardo G Teixeira
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1049-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gabriella Spengler
- MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Fernando Avecilla
- Universidade da Coruña, Grupo NanoToxGen, Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), Departamento de Química, Facultade de Ciencias, Campus de A Coruña, 15071A Coruña, Spain
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares and Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Loures, Portugal
| | - Oscar A Lenis-Rojas
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1049-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina P Matos
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1049-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo F M de Almeida
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1049-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Éva A Enyedy
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ana Isabel Tomaz
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1049-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
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