Singly protonated dehydronorcantharidin silver coordination polymer induces apoptosis of lung cancer cells via reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial pathway

• A novel silver complexe (Ag-SP-DNC) exhibited anticancer activity in vitro.
• Ag-SP-DNC promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species in lung cancer cells.
• Ag-SP-DNC induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells.
• Ag-SP-DNC disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and activated caspase-3.
• Ag-SP-DNC induced AIF and EndoG translocation to the nucleus.

Silver complexes have been shown to possess antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Ag-SP-DNC, a novel silver and singly protonated dehydronorcantharidin complex, was synthesized in our previous study. In this study, we offer evidence that Ag-SP-DNC elicits a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in lung cancer cells. Ag-SP-DNC inhibited the growth of A549 cells by inducing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Ag-SP-DNC induced apoptosis was associated with the levels of intracellular ROS. The further study revealed that Ag-SP-DNC disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, induced the caspase-3 activation and led to the translocation of apoptosis inducing factor and endonucleaseG to the nucleus. These findings have important implications for the development of silver complexes for anticancer applications.

Ag-SP-DNC induces reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in lung cancer cells.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide