A cisplatin derivative that inhibits collagen fibril-formation in vitro.

Using an in vitro random screening of small-molecule compounds, we discovered cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin), an anticancer agent, as a potential inhibitor of collagen fibril-formation. The inhibitory effect was found only when cisplatin was dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), indicating that the active species were cisplatin derivatives formed in the DMSO solution. The cisplatin derivatives inhibited the formation of collagen fibrils in vitro without affecting the triple-helical conformation of the collagen molecules.