A photoactive lysosome targeting Ru^II complex downregulates stemness genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Half-sandwich Ru-arene complexes with curcuminoids exhibit excellent chemotherapeutic effects but their photoactivity remains unexplored. Here we present a 1,3-diketone coordinated RuII-arene complex (1) as a type-I photosensitizer (PS) displaying efficacy...

Density Functional Theory-Guided Photo-Triggered Anticancer Activity of Curcumin-Based Zinc(II) Complexes

“…It has been established that the metal complexation of curcumin increases its stability and bioavailability. − Moreover, curcumin is reported as a good photosensitizer due to its efficient singlet oxygen generation ability under visible light . Therefore, in recent years, several curcumin-based metal complexes have been reported for PDT. − ,− Several curcumin complexes of V­(IV), Fe­(III), Co­(II), Co­(III), Pt­(II), Ru­(II), Ir­(III), Os­(II), Rh­(III), etc. are explored as photosensitizers for PDT application, but the example of Zn­(II)-curcumin complexes in PDT is very rare. − ,− To the best of our knowledge, Chakraborty et al reported the only Zn­(II)-curcumin complex with BODIPY as a pendant for PDT activity .…”

“…Therefore, in recent years, several curcumin-based metal complexes have been reported for PDT. − ,− Several curcumin complexes of V­(IV), Fe­(III), Co­(II), Co­(III), Pt­(II), Ru­(II), Ir­(III), Os­(II), Rh­(III), etc. are explored as photosensitizers for PDT application, but the example of Zn­(II)-curcumin complexes in PDT is very rare. − ,− To the best of our knowledge, Chakraborty et al reported the only Zn­(II)-curcumin complex with BODIPY as a pendant for PDT activity . Thus, although curcumin-based Zn­(II) complexes have been well-explored as cancer chemotherapeutics, their use as photosensitizers for PDT has not been well-explored.…”

Cytotoxic Imidazolyl-Mesalazine Ester-Based Ru(II) Complexes Reduce Expression of Stemness Genes and Induce Differentiation of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…58−60 CSCs exhibit deregulation of Notch, Wnt, or Hedgehog pathways; 61 hence, inhibiting these pathways presents a viable option to kill CSCs. 51,62,63 Our investigation monitored the Notch pathway and the common checkpoints of stemness via the three pathways (Figure 2).…”

“…The investigation was carried out against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) since it has a major occurrence in the Southeast Asian subcontinent, yet development of new drugs for OSCC is scarce. − Potential involvement of CSCs in oral tumor initiation and progression shows a 5-year survival rate of around 50% . The low survival rate is due to recurrence as a result of heterogeneity among cancer cells including CSCs. − CSCs exhibit deregulation of Notch, Wnt, or Hedgehog pathways; hence, inhibiting these pathways presents a viable option to kill CSCs. ,, Our investigation monitored the Notch pathway and the common checkpoints of stemness via the three pathways (Figure ).…”

“…Three deregulated pathways of cancer stem cells. (Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2022 Royal Society of Chemistry.…”