Preparation and the anticancer mechanism of configuration-controlled Fe(ii)–Ir(iii) heteronuclear metal complexes

Abstract

A series of configuration-controlled Fe(II)–Ir(III) heteronuclear metal complexes, including ferrocene and half-sandwich like iridium(III) complex units, have been designed and prepared. These complexes show better anticancer activity than cisplatin under the same conditions, especially cis-configurational ones. Laser confocal microscopy analysis confirms that the complexes follow a non-energy-dependent cellular uptake mechanism, accumulate in lysosomes (pearson co-localization coefficient: ∼0.7), lead to lysosomal damage, and eventually induce apoptosis. These complexes can reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential, disturb the cell circle, catalyze the oxidation of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and increase the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), following an anticancer mechanism of oxidation. In addition, the complexes could bind to serum protein, and transport through it. Above all, the Fe(II)–Ir(III) heteronuclear metal complexes hold promise as potential anticancer agents for further study.