New [(η5-C5H5)Ru(N–N)(PPh3)][PF6] compounds: colon anticancer activity and GLUT-mediated cellular uptake of carbohydrate-appended complexes†
Abstract
Eight ruthenium(II) compounds of the general formula [(η5-C5H5)Ru(N–N)(PPh3)][PF6] were rationally designed, exhibiting high cytotoxicity against HCT116 human colon cancer cells, with IC50 between 14.56 and 1.56 μM; importantly, compounds 5Ru and 6Ru are the first reported ruthenium glycoconjugates exploiting glucose transporters, widely overexpressed in cancer, for cellular uptake.