Engineering biotin anchored-MWCNTs as a superb carrier for facile delivery of the potent Ru(II)-N

Ru(II)-complexes have been recognised as promising in treating cancer. However, targeted delivery is an important facet to augment the efficiency of drugs. Consequently, this article portrays the construction of biotinylated-MWCNTs as an SMVT-guided nano-platform for the precise delivery of our previously-developed potent Ru(II)-scaffold, making it more effective against MCF-7 cells.

Re(I)[2-aryl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline] tricarbonyl chloride complexes for selective cancer therapy via a potential DNA damage mechanism.

Recently, achieving selective cancer therapy with trifling side effects has been a great challenge in the eradication of cancer. Thus, to amplify the cytoselective approach of complexes, herein, we developed a series of Re(I)[2-aryl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline] tricarbonyl chloride complexes and screened their potency against HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines together with the evaluation of their toxicity towards a normal kidney cell line (HEK-293). On meticulous investigation, complex [ReI(CO)3Cl(K2-N,N-(2c))] (3c) was found to be the most potent anticancer entity among other complexes. Complex 3c also showed competency to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest in association with the generation of ample reactive oxygen species (ROS), eventually leading to DNA intercalation and internucleosomal cleavage. The order of the cytotoxicity of these complexes depended on their lipophilic character and the electron-withdrawing halogen substitution at the para-position of the phenyl ring in the imidazophenanthroline ligand.

2,2'-Bipyrimidine-based luminescent Ru(ii)/Ir(iii)-arene monometallic and homo- and hetero-bimetallic complexes for therapy against MDA-MB-468 and caco-2 cells.

To unearth suitable complexes that are capable of inhibiting the growth of MDA-MB-468 and Caco-2 cells, 2,2'-bipyrimidine-based luminescent Ru(ii)/Ir(iii)-arene monometallic and homo- and hetero-bimetallic complexes were synthesized. The complex [(η6-p-cymene)(η5-Cp*)RuIIIrIIICl2(K2-N,N-bipyrimidine)](PF6)2 [LRuIr] exhibited the best potency in both cells along with good GSH stability and strong binding efficacy with the biomolecules. The apoptotic event occurred in MDA-MB-468 cancer cells via cell cycle arrest.

Luminescent bis(benzo[d]thiazolyl)quinoxaline: facile synthesis, nucleic acid and protein BSA interaction, live-cell imaging, biopharmaceutical research and cancer theranostic application.

A series of quinoxaline-2-hydroxyphenylbenzothiazole scaffolds were synthesized and characterized using NMR, UV, fluorescence spectroscopy and LCMS. These newly synthesized compounds were found to be cytotoxic in human epithelioid cervix carcinoma (HeLa) and human colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2). Selectivity of the compounds 7e and 7g are more than 9 fold higher in Caco-2 cells with respect to the normal cell line HEK-293. The most fluorescent compound 7e has displayed high cytoselectivity, significant cellular uptake in HeLa cells and strong binding efficacy with DNA and BSA. The most potent compound 7g has primarily classified as BCS class 4 and BDDCS class 4.

Three-in-one type fluorescent sensor based on a pyrene pyridoxal cascade for the selective detection of Zn(ii), hydrogen phosphate and cysteine.

A novel fluorescent receptor L was synthesized by Schiff base condensation of 1-pyrenemethylamine with the vitamin B6 cofactor pyridoxal. The receptor L is highly selective and sensitive towards Zn2+ ions among other tested metal ions. Upon interaction with Zn2+, the receptor L showed a distinct fluorescence enhancement at 485 nm due to the excimer formation leading to the fluorescent colour change from blue to bluish-green. Subsequently, when the in situ generated ZnL2 complex interacted with various anions and amino acids, the addition of H2PO4- and cysteine reinstated the fluorescence of the receptor L due to the demetalation of Zn2+ from the ZnL2 complex. Accordingly, the receptor L was developed for the highly selective, specific and sensitive detection of three important bioactive analytes, i.e., Zn2+, H2PO4- and cysteine with a detection limit down to 2.3 × 10-6 M, 2.18 × 10-7 M and 1.59 × 10-7 M, respectively. Additionally, the receptor L was applied to the detection of intracellular Zn2+ ions in live HeLa cells.

Current Application of Quantum Dots (QD) in Cancer Therapy: A Review.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Semiconductor quantum dots proved themselves as efficient fluorescent probes in cancer detection and treatment. Their size, high stability, non-photobleaching and water solubility made them a unique fluorophore in place of conventional organic dyes. METHOD: Newly emerged theranostic drug delivery system using quantum dots helped us in better understanding of the drug delivery mechanism inside the cells. Surface modified Quantum dots and their applications became wide in bioimaging, immunohistochemistry, tracking intracellular drug and intracellular molecules target. CONCLUSION: We have highlighted various applications of quantum dots in cancer treatment, drug delivery, flow cytometry, and theranostics.