Synthesis, structures and anticancer potentials of platinum(II) saccharinate complexes of tertiary phosphines with phenyl and cyclohexyl groups targeting mitochondria and DNA.

A series of new Pt(II) saccharinate complexes containing PR ligands (PPh, PPhCy, PPhCy and PCy) with progressive phenyl (Ph) replacement by cyclohexyl (Cy) were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray diffraction. The anticancer activity of the complexes was tested against human breast (MCF-7), lung (A549), colon (HCT116), and prostate (DU145) cancer cell lines as well as against normal bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. Trans-configured complexes 1, 3 and 5 emerged as potential anticancer drug candidates. The mechanism of action of the potent complexes was then investigated in detail. The three complexes interacted with DNA by groove binding and with HSA via hydrophobic IIA subdomain. Furthermore, the complexes cleaved plasmid DNA efficiently. Cellular uptake studies in MCF-7 cells showed that the biologically active complexes were mainly localized in cytoplasm. The cytotoxic activity was a function of the lipophilicity and cellular accumulation of the complexes. As determined by M30, Annexin V and Caspase 3/7 activity assays, the complexes induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and HCT116 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that the potent complexes cause excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and display a dual action, concurrently targeting both mitochondria and genomic DNA.