Abstract
Three new Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(phen)2CIIP]2+ (1) {CIIP = 2-(5-Chloro-3a H-Isoindol-3-yl)-1H-Imidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenantholine} (phen = 1, 10 phenanthroline), [Ru(bpy)2CIIP]2+ (2) (bpy = 2, 2′ bipyridine) and [Ru(dmb)2CIIP]2+ (3) (dmb = 4, 4′-dimethyl 2, 2′ bipyridine) were synthesized and characterized by different spectral methods. The DNA-binding behavior of these complexes was investigated by absorption, emission spectroscopic titration and viscosity measurements, indicating that these three complexes bind to CT-DNA in an intercalative mode, but binding affinities of these complexes were different. The DNA-binding constants Kb of complexes 1, 2 and 3 were calculated in the order of 106. All three complexes cleave pBR322 DNA in photoactivated cleavage studies and exhibit good antimicrobial activity. Anticancer activity of these Ru(II) complexes was evaluated in MCF7 cells. Cytotoxicity by MTT assay showed growth inhibition in a dose dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry data showed an increase in Sub G1 population. Annexin V FITC/PI staining confirms that these complexes cause cell death by the induction of apoptosis.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to UGC-UPE(FAR) Program Osmania University, Hyderabad for funding and we also grateful to CFRD, Osmania University for providing spectral studies. We are thankful to Dr. Ch. Mohan Rao and D. Kamakshi, CCMB, Hyderabad for biological studies.