Synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of ruthenium(II) metronidazole complexes: Cell cycle arrest at G1/S transition and apoptosis induction in MCF-7 cells.

Ruthenium compounds are known to be potential drug candidates since they offer the potential for reduced toxicity. Furthermore, the various oxidation states, different mechanisms of action and ligand substitution kinetics give them advantages over platinum-based complexes, making them suitable for use in biological applications. So, herein, novel ruthenium(II) complexes with metronidazole as ligand were obtained [RuCl(MTNZ)(dppb)(4,4'-Mebipy)]PF (1), [RuCl(MTNZ)(dppb)(4,4'-Methoxybipy)]PF (2), [RuCl(MTNZ)(dppb)(bipy)]PF (3) and [RuCl(MTNZ)(dppb)(phen)]PF (4) where, MTNZ = metronidazole, dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane, 4,4'-Mebipy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-Methoxybipy = 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine, bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline.