Evaluation of the antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of lawsone-contaning ruthenium (II) complexes

• Grant number: 21/02172-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Mutagenesis
• Principal Investigator: Flávia Aparecida Resende Nogueira
• Grantee: Matheus Ruiz Ulbrich
• Host Institution: Universidade de Araraquara (UNIARA). Associação São Bento de Ensino. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

It is estimated that in Brazil, on average, one in five people develop cancer throughout their lives, while in the world it is one of the main causes of death. Therapy against this disease still has limitations such as adverse effects and tumor resistance, which is why several studies are focused on the discovery and development of new anticancer drugs. In this scenario, coordination compounds based on ruthenium emerge as a new generation of antitumor agents, having advantages over the platinum drugs used in the clinic. Thus, it is essential to evaluate the antitumor potential of new compounds, as well as to evaluate the safety of their use for human health. Based on this, this study proposes the evaluation and characterization of the antiproliferative and genotoxic properties of two new ruthenium (II) complexes containing lawsone. At first, the complexes will be evaluated for their ability to interfere in the viability of tumor and non-tumor strains using the Alamar Blue assay. In addition, the complexes will be evaluated for their genotoxic potential using the Ames test. This assay will be performed according to the pre-incubation methodology, in the presence and absence of metabolic activation, in the strains TA98, TA97a, TA100 and TA102 of Salmonella typhimurium. At the end of the work, it is expected that the results obtained will allow to elucidate the cytotoxic potential, selectivity and safety of these complexes, in order to assist in the generation of new drug candidates with potential impact in the health area, targeting cancer treatment.