Anti-angiogenic effect of a Palladium(II)-Saccharinate Complex of Terpyridine in vitro and in vivo.

Anti-angiogenic activity of palladium (Pd)(II)-based complexes is unknown despite their quite powerful anticancer activity. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate both in vivo anti-angiogenic effect and in vitro cytotoxic activity of a Pd(II)-based complex. ([Pd(sac)(terpy)](sac)·4H2O(sac=saccharinate and terpy=2,2':6',2″-terpyridine)) on HUVEC cells. The anti-angiogenic activity of the complex was evaluated in vivo using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, tube formation assay and the cytotoxicity was screened using the MTT viability assays. The CAM treated with the complex (50µg/pellet) showed a strikingly high anti-angiogenic effect (score 1.1±0.2) compared to the positive controls cortisone, prednisone and (±)-thalidomide (e.g. (±)-thalidomide score 0.9±0.2) tested at the same concentration. Furthermore, the complex showed neither membrane toxicity nor irritation at the tested concentration. According to the MTT assays, the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) viability was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner at tested concentrations (1.56-100µM). Pd(II) complex also reduced the tube network at the lower dose than the compared with thalidomide. These results suggest that the Pd(II)-complex has strong anti-angiogenic activity, which adds an important feature to the previously-described anticancer activity of the complex.

Apoptosis-inducing Effect of a Palladium(II) Complex-[PdCl(terpy)](sac).2H2O] on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in Mice.

BACKGROUND/AIM: New compounds for cancer treatment are needed due to persistenly unsatisfactory management of cancer. [PdCl(terpy)](sac)·2H2O] (sac=saccharinate, and terpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) is a compound synthesized for this purpose. We investigated its anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 42 Balb-c female mice were subcutaneously (s.c.) injected with EAC cells (1st day) and then randomly divided into 5 groups: control (0.9% NaCl), complex (2 mg/kg), complex (3 mg/kg) cisplatin (4 mg/kg) and paclitaxel (12.5 mg/kg). On the 5th and 12th day animals were drug administrated. At 14th day, animals were sacrificed. Expression of cell death and/or cell cycle-related markers (Bcl-2, Bax, active caspase-3, p53, PCNA) and apoptosis were investigated immunohisto-chemically. Survival-related markers (Akt, GSK-3ß, IGF-1R, IR, IRS-1, p70S6K, PRAS40) were evaluated by luminex analysis. RESULTS: Expression of p53, PCNA, Bcl-2 was found decreased (p<0.001) and that of active caspase-3, Bax, and apoptotic cells was found increased (p<0.001) in all groups. The survival-related markers did not show any statistical difference in complex groups. CONCLUSION: The Pd(II)-complex seems to have a strong anticancer activity on EAC by inducing apoptosis via both suppression of proliferation and activation of apoptosis in vivo, similar to the effects of cisplatin and paclitaxel.