A Chloro-Bridged Heterobimetallic (η⁶-Arene)ruthenium–Organotin Complex as an Efficient Topoisomerase Iα Inhibitor

Abstract

The chloro-bridged heterobimetallic complex (η6-hexamethylbenzene)Ru(dmp)(μ-Cl)2Sn(CH3)2Cl2 was designed, synthesized, and characterized by various spectroscopic methods, viz. IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and ESI MS, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography as an approach toward multitargeting metal-based potential anticancer drug candidates. In vitro DNA binding studies confirmed the binding affinity of the complex toward the minor groove of DNA, which is further validated by docking studies. Furthermore, the complex exhibited significant inhibitory effects on topoisomerase Iα at a very low concentration (∼8 μM). The cytotoxicity of the complex against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines was evaluated, which revealed significant regression in cancerous cells in comparison with the standard drug.