Non-oxido and Dinuclear Oxido VIV-based Metallodrugs: Solution Study, Cytotoxicity, and Cellular Internalization

Abstract

In recent years, vanadium compounds have been extensively studied for their biological, medicinal, and other therapeutic applications.1,2 To date, only a limited number of non-oxido and dinuclear oxido VIV complexes have been studied, mainly for their potential use in anticancer studies. So, exploring the toxicity potential of non-oxido compared to dinuclear oxido VIV complexes could provide valuable insights into their solution-phase stability and biological effects. In this presentation, the chemistry of a series of mononuclear non-oxido and dinuclear oxido VIV complexes will be highlighted in relation to their theranostic activity. Analysis of complexes using spectroscopic methods, as well as DFT and docking studies, demonstrated potential interactions with calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin. Cytotoxic assays against A549 (lung cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell lines demonstrate that complexes exhibit significant activity. Live-cell imaging properties of metallodrugs revealed efficient cellular internalization, lysosomal targeting, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated disruption of organelle integrity, leading to apoptosis. Apoptosis induction was supported by Annexin V/PI staining, cell cycle arrest, and ROS scavenger assays.