A Cytotoxic Nitrido-osmium(VI) Complex Induces Caspase-mediated Apoptosis in HepG2 Cancer Cells

The osmium(VI) nitrido complex, [OsVI(N)(sap)(py)Cl] is a potential anti-cancer drug wtih promising in vitro antiproliferative activities toward a panel of cancer cell lines including cisplatin-resistant cell (IC50 values of 2.8-13.8 μM). This drug targets DNA and changes its conformation via covalent binding and insertion. In vitro studies indicate the drug induces HepG2 cells G2/M phase arrest, disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-mediated apoptosis. Further in vivo studies using HepG2-bearing nude mice reveal this drug shows not only well antitumor efficacy of inhibiting tumor growth, but also results no weight loss side effect.