New (arene)ruthenium(II) complexes of 4‑aryl‑4H‑naphthopyrans with anticancer and anti-vascular activities

The new complexes 3a-d combine anti-cancer effects of naphthopyrans and a Ru(II) fragment. They bind to DNA 10 times faster and differently than cisplatin, and target the microtubular cytoskeleton causing mitotic arrest and antivascular effects. While active against cancer cells at nanomolar IC50 concentrations they do not affect non-malignant fibroblasts.260