Ruthenium(II) arene complexes of curcuminoids: Synthesis, X-ray diffraction structure and cytotoxicity

Two ruthenium-arene complexes containing curcuminoid ligands, (η6-cymene)Ru(curc)Cl (1 and 2, curc = thiophene aromatic curcuminoids) have been synthesized and characterized by NMR, elemental analysis and HR-ESI-mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of the two complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes were further evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against Hela human cervical epithelioid cancer, as well as BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 human liver cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the interactions of the complexes with DNA were followed by electrophoretic mobility spectrometry studies.

Graphical abstractTwo ruthenium-arene complexes containing curcuminoid ligands, (η6-cymene)Ru(Cur)Cl, were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The compounds have been tested for their antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the interactions of the complexes with DNA were followed by electrophoretic mobility spectrometry studies.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide