The ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes (RPCs) Δ-[(phen)2Ru(tatpp)]Cl2 (Δ-[3]Cl2) and ΔΔ-[(phen)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(phen)2]Cl4 (ΔΔ-[4]Cl4) are a new generation of metal-based anti-tumor agents. These RPCs bind DNA via intercalation of the tatpp ligand which itself is redox-active and easily reduced at biologically relevant potentials. We have previously shown that RPC 44+ cleaves DNA when reduced by glutathione to a radical species, and that this DNA cleavage is potentiated under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Here we show that 32+ also exhibits free-radical mediated DNA cleavage in vitro, and that 32+ and 44+ both exhibit selective cytotoxicity towards cultured malignant cell lines, and marked inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. The murine acute toxicity of RPCs 32+ and 44+ (maximum tolerable doses (MTD’s) ~ 65 µmol/kg) is comparable with that for cisplatin (LD50 ~57 µmol/kg) but unlike cisplatin, RPC’s are generally cleared from the body unchanged via renal excretion without appreciable metabolism or nephrotoxic side effects. RPCs 32+ and 44+ are demonstrated to suppress growth of human non-small cell lung carcinoma (~83%), show potentiated cytotoxicity in vitro under hypoxic conditions, and induce apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The novel hypoxia-enhanced DNA cleavage activity and biological activity suggest a promising new anti-cancer pharmacophore based on metal complexes with aromatic ligands that are easily reduced at biologically accessible potentials.

Experiments were designed to elucidate the role of endothelin B receptors (ET(B)) on arterial pressure and renal function in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent uninephrectomy and were treated with either DOCA and salt (0.9% NaCl to drink) or placebo. DOCA-salt rats given the ET(B)-selective antagonist, A-192621, for 1 wk (10 mg. kg(-1). day(-1) in the food) had significantly greater systolic arterial pressure compared with untreated DOCA-salt rats (208 +/- 7 vs. 182 +/- 4 mmHg) whereas pressure in placebo rats was unchanged. In DOCA-salt, but not placebo rats, A-192621 significantly decreased sodium and water excretion along with parallel decreases in food and water intake. To determine whether the response in DOCA-salt rats was due to increased expression of ET(B) receptors, endothelin receptor binding was performed by using membranes from renal medulla. Maximum binding (B(max)) of [(125)I]ET-1, [(125)I]ET-3, and [(125)I]IRL-1620 increased from 227 +/- 42, 146 +/- 28, and 21 +/- 1 fmol/mg protein, respectively, in placebo rats to 335 +/- 27, 300 +/- 38, and 61 +/- 6 fmol/mg protein, respectively, in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. The fraction of receptors that are the ET(B) subtype was significantly increased in DOCA-salt (0.88 +/- 0.07) compared with placebo (0.64 +/- 0.01). The difference between [(125)I]ET-3 and [(125)I]IRL-1620 binding is consistent with possible ET(B) receptor subtypes in the kidney. These results indicate that ET(B) receptors in the renal medulla are up-regulated in the DOCA-salt hypertensive rat and may serve to maintain a lower arterial pressure by promoting salt and water excretion.

Rapid, highly efficient, analytical resolution of the enantiomers of eight different monomeric ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes has been achieved using HPLC with cyclodextrin chiral stationary phases. This technique also proved capable of separating both of the diastereomers and the enantiomers of one dinuclear complex in a single run, whereas similar efforts with another dinuclear complex gave only one stereoisomer cleanly. Factors such as the stereochemistry of the chiral selectors, solvent polarity, and salt effects can be altered to provide precise control of the enantioselective interactions. The ability to quickly and quantitatively determine the enantiopurity of a given ruthenium complex allowed facile reexamination and optimization of the commonly used bulk resolution procedures based on diastereomeric coprecipitation with sodium arsenyl (+)-tartrate or sodium arsenyl (-)-tartrate salts.

A high performance liquid chromatographic method using macrocyclic glycopeptide chiral stationary phases (CSPs) was used to separate enantiomers of seven ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes. Among the five different CSPs, the Chirobiotic T2 was most effective and baseline separated all complexes. All complexes show the same elution order with the Δ-enantiomer being retained longer than the Λ-enantiomer. The mobile phase composition, including organic modifier type, organic modifier percent, salt type, and salt concentration, produced significant effects on the enantioresolution.

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