Cytotoxic potency of self-assembled Ruthenium(II)-NHC complexes with pincer type 2, 6-bis(N-methylimidazolylidene/benzimidazolylidene)pyrazine ligands.

OBJECTIVE

To study the cytotoxic potency of self-assembled Ruthenium(II)-NHC complexes with 2,6-di-(N-methylimidazolylidene/benzimidazolylidene)pyrazine ligands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ru(II)-N-heterocyclic (Ru-NHC) complexes, Bis-[2,6-di-(N-methylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyrazine]ruthenium(II) hexaflurophosphate (3), Bis-[2,6-di-(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene)pyrazine]ruthenium(II) hexaflurophosphate (4) have been synthesized from corresponding ligands 2,6-di-(N-methylimidazolium)pyrazine dichloride (1); 2,6-di-(N-methylbenzimidazolium)pyrazine dichloride (2). Complexes were studied to determine their pro-apoptotic activity against HCT15 and Hep2 cell lines, and antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans.

RESULTS

Both, complex 3 and 4, formed a nanosphere structure in aqueous growth medium. Cytotoxicity study revealed that complex 3 was more effective than complex 4. Complexes mainly target cellular DNA and bacterial cell wall.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report on the formation of nanoball structure of Ru(II)-NHC complexes. Thus, complex 3 provides a new insight to develop antitumor or antimicrobial drug.