Arene‐Ruthenium(II)/Osmium(II) Complexes Potentiate the Anticancer Efficacy of Metformin via Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming

Abstract

Targeting metabolic reprogramming to treat cancer could increase overall survival and reduce side effects. Here, we put forward a strategy using arene‐ruthenium(II)/osmium(II) complexes to potentiate the anticancer effect of metformin (Met.) via glucose metabolism reprogramming. Complexes 1–6 with oxoglaucine derivatives as ligands were synthesized and their anti‐tumor activities were tested under hypoglycemia. Results indicated that 2 and 5 potentiated the anticancer effects of Met. under hypoglycemia, exhibiting lower toxicity, slower blood glucose decline and inhibition of early tumor liver metastasis. Combination of 5 with Met. could be used as a new strategy to treat cancer under hypoglycemia through glucose metabolism reprogramming.

Design, synthesis, and structural evaluation of metal complexes of azepane-1-carbodithioate for targeting human breast cancer: investigating cytotoxic activity against the MDA-MB-231 cell line

“…Several research investigations demonstrated the importance of metal complexes in glucose metabolism under standard physiological settings. [50][51][52][53] As a result, we investigated the effect of our synthesized ligand and its transition metal complexes on glucose metabolism in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Following that, we investigated if these complexes regulate the metabolic activity in MDA-MB-231 cells by altering glucose uptake and metabolism.…”