Metallosupramolecular blocks: sonodynamic therapy in nitric oxide release

• Grant number: 25/02222-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Renata Galvão de Lima
• Grantee: Maria Vitória Pereira Vaz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The action of nitric oxide (NO) is found in different cells and tissues in which it exhibits several functions such as: vasodilator effect, neurotransmission, inhibition of platelet aggregation and immune response. Thus, considering that many diseases are associated with NO deficiency, prodrugs based on metal complexes are developed with the objective of acting as NO donor agents. Among the metal complexes, ruthenium nitrosyl complexes stand out, which have the ability to control NO release via chemical reduction or light stimulus. Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes of the type [RuII(NO+)(L)(tpy)]m+, act as prominent NO donors in the control of vasodilation, antiviral and antitumor action. Therefore, the present project proposes the construction of a system of block copolymers containing ruthenium nitrosyl complexes for the formation of micellar structures based on metallosupramolecules. Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes coordinated with terpyridine co-ligands will be functionalized with copolymers which will allow the formation of micellar structures. This system will allow the understanding of the mechanism of ultrasound-induced NO release, in addition to the evaluation of the potential of ruthenium(II) complexes as sonosensitizers in two-dimensional models of cell biology. (AU)