Yanhong Dong

Synthesis, X-ray structure, and anti-leukemic activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes.

In a systematic effort to identify and develop effective anticancer agents, four oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) or 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2-Phen) as ligand(s) were synthesized and characterized. Among the four oxovanadium(IV) complexes synthesized, the crystal structure of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex bis(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)2], compound 1) has been determined. Compound 1 crystallized in the space group P2(1)/n with unit cell parameters a = 14.2125(17) A, b = 10.8628(13) A, c = 20.143(2) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 102.569(2) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 3035.3(6) A3, and Z = 4. The refinement of compound 1 by full-matrix least-squares techniques gave an R factor of 0.0785 for 4356 independent reflections. The structure contains two enantiomorphous molecules, lambda and delta, which are related by an inversion center. Compound 1 exhibited 3.5-fold more potent cytotoxic activity against NALM-6 human leukemia cells than the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex (diaqua)(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)(H2O)2], compound 2) (IC50 values: 0.97+/-0.10 microM versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM: P=0.0004). Methyl substitution in the phenanthroline ligand enhanced the anti-leukemic activity of the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 4.4-fold (IC50 values: 0.78+/-0.10 microM, compound 4, versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM, compound 2; P=0.0003) and the anti-leukemic activity of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 5.7-fold (IC50 values: 0.17+/-0.02 microM, compound 3, versus 0.97+/-0.10 microM, compound 1; P=0.001). The leading oxovanadium compound, bis(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2], compound 3) triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human leukemia cells, caused G1-arrest and inhibited clonogenic growth at nanomolar concentrations.

In vivo antioxidant activity of genistein in a murine model of singlet oxygen-induced cerebral stroke

We evaluated the in vivo antioxidant activity of genistein in a mouse model of singlet oxygen-induced cerebral stroke. Cerebral stroke was induced in male BALB/c mice through extensive microvessel damage caused by photoactivated rose bengal dye. The photoactivation of the intravenously administered rose bengal was achieved by transcranial illumination with green light. Genistein was more active than its analogs and other antioxidants that were used as control agents. At a dose of 16 mg/kg genistein administered every 6 h from 24 h prior to irradiation until 24 h after irradiation, the average size of the cerebral lesion of genistein-treated mice was significantly smaller than that in control mice treated with the carrier DMSO (8.1 +/- 1.0 mm(2) compared to 14.6 +/- 0.7 mm(2), P < 0.001). Our findings provide experimental evidence that genistein could be useful for the prevention of cerebral stroke and other pathological conditions caused by reactive oxygen species.

Apoptosis-inducing oxovanadium(IV) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline against human ovarian cancer

In a systematic effort to identify a potent anticancer agent against human ovarian cancer, we synthesized 15 oxovanadium(IV) complexes, and examined their cytotoxic activity against human ovarian cancer cell lines PA-1, SKOV-3, ES-2 and OVCAR-3 using a MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyletetrazolium bromide]-based assay. The apoptosis-inducing ability of the oxovanadium compounds was evaluated by the two-color flow cytometric terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-based assay that labels 3′-hydroxyl ends of fragmented DNA (TUNEL) assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Notably, all eight oxovanadium complexes of 1,10 phenanthroline exhibited significant cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis within 24 h. The mono-chelated, VO(NO2-phen) and bis-chelated, VO(Me2-phen)2, VO(Cl-phen)2 and VO(NO2-phen)2 complexes were the most potent oxovanadium compounds, and killed target cancer cells at low micromolar concentrations. The marked differences in the cytotoxic activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing different heterocyclic ancillary ligands suggest that the cytotoxic activity of these compounds is determined by the identity of the five-member bidentate ligands, as well as the nature of the substituents on the heterocyclic aromatic rings. Our results presented herein provide experimental evidence that oxovanadium compounds induce apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells. The lead compounds, VO(Me2-phen)2 and VO(NO2-phen)2, may be useful in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Apoptosis Inducing Novel Anti-Leukemic Agent, Bis(4,7-Dimethyl-1,10 Phenanthroline) Sulfatooxovanadium(IV)[VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2] Depolarizes Mitochondrial Membranes

Bis(4,7-dimethyl-1,10 phenanthroline) sulfatooxovanadium(IV) [VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2] induces apoptosis in human NALM-6 leukemia cells. In the present report, we demonstrate that VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2-induced apoptosis is mediated through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), depletion of glutathione and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ±m). Using multilaser flow cytometry methods, we further mapped out the death sequence that occurs in VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2-treated leukemic cells. Triple labeling method to measure ROS, Δ±m and glutathione coupled with multilaser excitation flow cytometry showed that induction of ROS took place before the loss of mitochondrial permeability transition and depletion of glutathione. Correlated two parameter plots of glutathione content versus Δ±m showed that loss of Δ±m and depletion of glutathione closely follows each other. Translocation of phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane was the final step in the process before the cells became apoptotic. These results demonstrate that the mitochondrial permeability transition takes place during VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2-induced apoptosis and is mediated through induction of ROS and depletion of glutathione.