Synthesis, characterization and biological activities of some Ru(II) complexes with substituted chalcones and their applications as chemotherapeutics against breast cancer

Abstract Four new Ru(II) DMSO complexes with substituted chalcone ligands viz. (E)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (HL1) , (E)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (HL2) , (E)-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (HL3) and (E)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (HL4) have been synthesized, and characterized by micro-analyses, IR, 1 H NMR, UV–Vis and ESI-MS and screened for anti-cancer activity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA MB-231). Compounds HL4 and [Ru(HL1) (O-DMSO) 3 (S-DMSO)]Cl ( M1R ) showed significant anti-breast cancer activity as evident from cytotoxicity, morphological and nuclear changes, DNA fragmentation and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells. UV–Vis and CD-spectra analysis showed HL4 and M1R interfered with DNA absorption spectra possibly due to DNA binding whereas these compounds were devoid of DNA topoisomerase inhibiting activity. Thus, these Ru(II) compounds have been established as new leads for future optimization by improving anti-cancer potency and safety.