Remarkable spectator ligand effect on the rate constant of ligand substitution of (aqua)ruthenium(II) complexes

The influence of two different di(1-pyrazolyl)alkane ligands on the rate constant of aqua ligand substitution of ruthenium(II) complexes with the formula [Ru(H2O)(L2)(tpmm)]2+ (L2 = di(1-pyrazolyl)methane (DPMet) or 2,2-di(1-pyrazolyl)propane (DPPro)) was investigated. A 9.4 x 10(5)-fold increase in the rate constant of ligand substitution at pH = 6.86 was observed when DPMet was replaced with DPPro. This remarkable increase was unexpected, considering that these bidentate ligands appear quite similar. To help lend insight into this dramatic spectator ligand effect, the activation parameters for the ligand substitution reactions were determined, and single-crystal X-ray data were collected on the structurally analogous (chloro)ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(Cl)(L2)(tpmm)]+. These results are discussed in the context of a heteroscorpionate effect exerted by the DPPro ligand.

Linkage and redox isomerism in ruthenium complexes of catecholate, semi-quinone, and o-acylphenolate ligands derived from tri- and tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthracenediones

The complexes Ru(CO)(2)L(2)(PHAQ-2H) (PHAQ = 1,2,4-trihydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione (PUR), 1,2,3- trihydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione (AG), and 1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione (QAL); L = PPh(3), PCy(3), PBu(3)), and Ru(CO)(dppe)(PBu(3))(PHAQ-2H), containing catecholate-type ligands were prepared. The complex Ru(CO)(2)(PBu(3))(2)(AG-2H) crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/n (No. 14 var) with a = 13.317(2), b = 15.628(2), c = 21.076(3) A, beta = 101.660(10) degrees, Z = 4; the crystal structure shows it to contain a 2,3-catecholate ligand. The electrochemistry of these complexes was examined, and the semi-quinone complexes [Ru(CO)(2)L(2)(PHAQ-2H)](1+) and [Ru(CO)(dppe)(PBu(3))(PHAQ-2H)](1+) were generated by chemical oxidation. One example of an o-acylphenolate complex, HRu(CO)(PCy(3))(2)(PUR-H), is also reported.

Chloroform-soluble schiff-base Zn(II) or Cd(II) complexes from a dynamic combinatorial library

A dynamic combinatorial library of metal ion Schiff-base complexes have been studied for the extraction of Zn(II) or Cd(II) from aqueous solution into chloroform. Library components consist of different aminophenols and 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde. Extraction of both Zn(II) and Cd(II) into chloroform was observed from aqueous solutions containing 0.0500 mM M(NO3)2, 0.100 M aminophenol, 0.100 M 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, 0.100 M NaCl, and 5.00 mM buffer at pH 8.5. Extraction was dependent on pH but not on counterions including Cl-, Br-, or NO3-. Studies showed that equilibrium was attained between the Schiff-base complexes across the two-phase chloroform-water system after 24 h of stirring. Analysis of the extracted species by use of 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as well as solubility studies on characterized complexes suggested that the major extracted species is the neutral bis-Schiff-base metal ion complex. In libraries containing mixtures of two different aminophenols and 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, an enhanced extent of extraction of Zn(II) into chloroform is observed. Studies suggest that a Zn(II) complex, which is likely the mixed Schiff-base complex, has superior extraction properties compared to simple libraries with a single aminophenol component. The structures of two bis-Schiff-base complexes of Zn(II) and one of Cd(II) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The geometries of the two Zn(II) complexes, which differ only by a methyl substituent on the Schiff-base ligand, are markedly different, supporting the use of combinatorial methods in coordination chemistry. Zn(SB14)2 crystallized as the sesquihydrate (C24H18N4O2Zn.1.5 H2O) in the space group C2/c, with cell dimensions a = 23.219(15) A, b = 11.299(7) A, c = 16.822(11) A, beta = 102.91(5) degrees, V = 4302(5) A3, and Z = 8. Zn(SB15)2 crystallized as a 1:1 methanol solvate (C26H22N4O2Zn.CH3OH) in the space group P2(1)/c with cell dimensions a = 13.981(5) A, b = 7.978(3) A, c = 22.568(8) A, beta = 104.53(3) degrees, V = 2436.8(15) A3, and Z = 4. Cd(SB14)2 crystallized as a 1:1 ethanol solvate (C24H18N4O2Cd.CH3CH2OH) in the space group R3 with unit cell dimensions of a = 36.423(2) A, c = 9.2930(10) A, V = 10678(2) A3, and Z = 18.

Linkage and redox isomerism in ruthenium complexes of catecholate, semiquinone, and o-acylphenolate ligands derived from 1,2-dihydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione (alizarin) and related species: syntheses, characterizations, and photophysics

The complexes Ru(CO)2L2(AL-2H) (AL = alizarin; L = PPh3, PCyc3, PBu3, P(m-NaSO3C6H4)3), Ru(CO)(dppe)(PBu3)(AL-2H), and RuH(CO)L2(AL-H) (L = PPh3, PCyc3), and Ru(CO)2L2(AR-2H) (AR = anthrarobin; L = PBu3) were prepared by reactions of Ru3(CO)12, L, and AL, and the complexes RuH(CO)(PPh3)2(AL-H), RuH(CO)(PPh3)2(QN-H) (QN = quinizarin), and RuH(CO)(PPh3)2(LQN-H) (LQN = leucoquinizarin) are prepared by reactions of RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3 with AL or QN. The AL-2H and AR-2H ligands act as 1,2-catecholates, whereas the AL-H, QN-H, LQN-H ligands are 1,9-o-acylphenolate ligands. RuH(CO)(PPh3)2(AL-H) is characterized by X-ray crystallography. The electrochemistry of these complexes is examined, and the semiquinone complexes [Ru(CO)2L2(AL-2H)]+ (L = PPh3, PCyc3, PBu3) and [Ru(CO)(dppe)(PBu3)(AL-2H)]+ are generated by chemical oxidation and were characterized by EPR and IR spectroscopy. The photophysical properties are also reported.

Plant phenolics decrease intestinal tumors in an animal model of familial adenomatous polyposis

Epidemiological studies consistently indicate that consumption of fruits and vegetables lowers cancer risk in humans and suggest that certain dietary constituents may be effective in preventing colon cancer. Plant-derived phenolic compounds manifest many beneficial effects and can potentially inhibit several stages of carcinogenesis in vivo. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of several plant-derived phenolics, including caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), curcumin, quercetin and rutin, for the prevention of tumors in C57BL/6J-Min/+ (Min/+) mice. These animals bear a germline mutation in the Apc gene and spontaneously develop numerous intestinal adenomas by 15 weeks of age. At a dietary level of 0.15%, CAPE decreased tumor formation in Min/+ mice by 63%. Curcumin induced a similar tumor inhibition. Quercetin and rutin, however, both failed to alter tumor formation at dietary levels of 2%. Examination of intestinal tissue from the treated animals showed that tumor prevention by CAPE and curcumin was associated with increased enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation. CAPE and curcumin also decreased expression of the oncoprotein beta-catenin in the enterocytes of the Min/+ mouse, an observation previously associated with an antitumor effect. These data place the plant phenolics CAPE and curcumin among a growing list of anti-inflammatory agents that suppress Apc-associated intestinal carcinogenesis.

Genotype-phenotype correlation in murine Apc mutation: differences in enterocyte migration and response to sulindac

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene product mediates coordinated cell growth in the intestinal mucosa. In humans, germ-line mutations of APC are associated with colorectal carcinogenesis, a process that varies in severity depending on the length of the protein resulting from the mutant allele. In a previous study of the C57BL/6J-Min/+ (Min/+) mouse, we found that the protein fragment resulting from truncation at codon 850 of murine Apc was associated with changes in enterocyte migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and beta-catenin expression. This effect was reversed upon treatment of Min/+ mice with the chemopreventive drug sulindac sulfide. In this study, we measured enterocyte migration in the Apc1638N mouse, an animal with an Apc mutation that yields no detectable APC protein. We found no difference in enterocyte migration, proliferation, apoptosis, or beta-catenin levels in the Apc1638N mouse when compared to wild-type littermates bearing two normal Apc alleles. Furthermore, administration of sulindac sulfide to Apc1638N mice did not alter enterocyte migration. These observations suggest that a dominant negative effect altering cell migration is exerted by the truncated APC protein present in the Min/+ mouse. These data also suggest that the effectiveness of chemopreventive agents in preventing Apc-related tumor formation may depend on which type of mutation is present.

Aspirin prevents tumors in a murine model of familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Both human and murine studies suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs prevent intestinal neoplasia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of aspirin as a chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

We administered aspirin to the Min/+ mouse, an animal with a germline mutation in Apc, a gene that is essential for normal epithelial cell growth and differentiation. Apc mutation increases cytoplasmic beta-catenin, a regulatory protein associated with the cytoskeleton. Min/+ mice develop multiple intestinal adenomas and exhibit altered cell growth in the preneoplastic intestinal epithelium.

RESULTS

Aspirin decreased the rate of tumor formation in Min/+ mice by 44%. Aspirin also normalized enterocyte growth by increasing apoptosis and proliferation in the preneoplastic intestinal mucosa. Finally, aspirin produced a decrease in intracellular beta-catenin levels, suggesting that modulation of this protein is associated with tumor prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm a role for aspirin in suppression of Apc-associated intestinal carcinogenesis.

Aspirin prevents tumors in a murine model of familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Both human and murine studies suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs prevent intestinal neoplasia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of aspirin as a chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

We administered aspirin to the Min/+ mouse, an animal with a germline mutation in Apc, a gene that is essential for normal epithelial cell growth and differentiation. Apc mutation increases cytoplasmic beta-catenin, a regulatory protein associated with the cytoskeleton. Min/+ mice develop multiple intestinal adenomas and exhibit altered cell growth in the preneoplastic intestinal epithelium.

RESULTS

Aspirin decreased the rate of tumor formation in Min/+ mice by 44%. Aspirin also normalized enterocyte growth by increasing apoptosis and proliferation in the preneoplastic intestinal mucosa. Finally, aspirin produced a decrease in intracellular beta-catenin levels, suggesting that modulation of this protein is associated with tumor prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm a role for aspirin in suppression of Apc-associated intestinal carcinogenesis.