Synthesis, DNA binding, photo-induced DNA cleavage, cytotoxicity studies of a family of heavy rare earth complexes

• Published in: Journal of inorganic biochemistry Vol. 127; pp. 39 - 45
• Main Authors: Chen, Gong-Jun, Wang, Zhi-Gang, Qiao, Xin, Xu, Jing-Yuan, Tian, Jin-Lei, Yan, Shi-Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Cell Survival - drug effects; Coordination Complexes - chemical synthesis; Coordination Complexes - metabolism; Coordination Complexes - pharmacology; Crystal structure; Crystallography, X-Ray; Cytotoxicity; DNA - chemistry; DNA - metabolism; DNA binding; DNA Cleavage - drug effects; DNA Cleavage - radiation effects; Heavy rare earth complexes; HeLa Cells; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Light; Metals, Rare Earth - chemistry; Molecular Structure; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Photo-induced DNA cleavage activity; Cytotoxicity; Photo-induced DNA cleavage activity; Heavy rare earth complexes; DNA binding; Crystal structure
• ISSN: 0162-0134; 1873-3344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2013.06.002

As a continuing investigation of our previous studies about the influence of the different rare earth metal ions on the bioactivity, a family of heavy rare earth metal complexes, [RE(acac)3(dpq)] (RE=Tb (1), Dy (2), Ho (3), Er (4), Tm (5), Yb (6), Lu (7)) and [RE(acac)3(dppz)]·CH3OH (RE=Tb (8), Dy (9), Ho (10), Er (11), Tm (12), Yb (13), Lu (14) viz. acetylacetonate (acac), dipyrido[3,2-d:20,30-f]quinoxaline (dpq), dipyrido[3,2-a:20,30-c] phenazine (dppz)), has been synthesized and their biological activities were also investigated. On the irradiation with UV-A light of 365nm or ambient light, all complexes exhibit efficient DNA cleavage activity via the mechanistic pathway involving the formation of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical as the reactive species. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity of these complexes on HeLa cells has been examined by MTT assay, which indicate that these compounds have the potential to act as effective anticancer drugs. The results of the above biological experiments also reveal that the choice of different rare earth metal ions has little influence on the DNA binding, DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity. A family of heavy rare earth complexes, [RE(acac)3(dpq)] and [RE(acac)3(dppz)]CH3OH have been synthesized, their DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity are investigated. DNA binding, DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity not have affected by rare earth metal elements. [Display omitted] •Some lanthanide-based complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized.•The compounds exhibit efficience photo-induced DNA cleavage activities.•The compounds have the potential to act as effective anticancer drugs.