Structurally different domains embedded half-sandwich arene Ru(II) complex: DNA/HSA binding and cytotoxic studies

Abstract

In this investigation, we have designed and synthesized a new Ru(II)-arene complex with triarylamine thiosemicarbazone hybrid ligand to explore its cytotoxicity. The ligand and the complex were well characterized by spectroscopic techniques. From the single-crystal X-ray crystallography, the molecular structure of the ligand was confirmed to be monoclinic lattice with C12/C1 space group symmetry. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) studies ensured that ruthenium is in +2 oxidation state. The synthesized Ru(II)-arene complex was thoroughly investigated for the in vitro activity against human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), human colon carcinoma (COLO 205), human neuroblastoma (IMR-32), murine microphage (Raw 264.7) and embryonic kidney (HEK 293) using MTT assay. The interaction of the Ru(II)-arene complex with DNA/protein was also explored by absorption and emission spectral methods. This investigation highlights the role of hybrid ligand and its Ru(II) complex toward high cytotoxicity in vitro. The complex has high cytotoxic effect with IC₅₀ value of 5.18 ± 1.128 µM toward human breast carcinoma cell line.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Triarylamine
• thiosemicarbazone
• arene Ru(II) complex: DNA binding
• cytotoxicity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgements

M.S. thanks the Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India for Post-Doctoral Fellowship under SERB-NPDF program.

Additional information

Funding

S.N. gratefully acknowledges DST-SERB for the financial support.