Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) hydrazone complexes as anticancer chemotherapeutic agents: in vitro DNA/BSA protein binding and cytotoxicity assay

Abstract

Ruthenium hydrazone complexes [RuH(CO)(L¹)(PPh₃)₂] (1) and [RuH(CO)(L²)(PPh₃)₂] (2) synthesized by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with benzoic acid[(thiophene-2-yl)methylene] hydrazide (HL¹) or benzoic acid[1-(furan-2-yl)methylene]hydrazide (HL²) were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectral, and XRD techniques. An intercalative interaction of the free ligands as well as 1 and 2 with CT-DNA was identified through absorption/emission titrations and viscosity measurements. Their bovine serum albumin binding through absorption/emission and synchronous spectral studies indicated significant binding proficiency. In vitro cytotoxic study of the complexes carried out against HeLa and MCF7 cell lines demonstrated that both complexes are potentially cytotoxic against both cell lines. The superior biological potential of 1 compared to 2 was attributed to the presence of sulfur containing heterocyclic moiety in the former complex.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Heterocyclic hydrazones
• Ru(II) complex
• DNA/Protein binding
• Cytotoxicity
• Triphenylphosphine

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding to this Research Group No. (RG 1435-001).