In vitro antitumor activity and targeted sites of two novel platinum-based (II) complexes on SW620 colon cancer cell line

The aim of our study was to evaluate the in vitro antitumor activity of two novel platinum-based (II) complexes (2.3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid dehydrate platinum and 2.3-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid dehydrate platinum), which were concurrently provided with hydrophilic carboxyl group and lipophilic pyrazinyl or pyridyl group, on SW620 colorectal cancer cell line and the impact of the two compounds on the cell cycle and apoptosis of the cells when compared with the oxaliplatin, desiring the new ligand combined with hydrophilic and lipophilic properties would facilitate the transportation and transmembrane of the drugs, showing a better antitumor activity. After SW620 cells were treated with different doses of the three platinum-based agents for 24, 48 and 72 h, the cell proliferation inhibition rate was determined using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay; the morphology of cells were evaluated under inverted microscope; the changes in cell cycle were determined using flow cytometry; the percent apoptosis was measured using Annexin V/PI double staining and the micromorphology of the cells after drug exposure was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The evaluation on the proliferation inhibition rate revealed that the three platinum-based agents inhibited the SW620 cells in a time- and dosedependent manner and showed different strengths as pyridine > pyrazine > Oxa. Under optical microscope, the morphological changes such as cell shrinkage, round cells and dead cells were frequently observed after drug exposure. Cell cycle determination showed that all of the three agents could function to block the cells converting from phase S to phase G2M. Apoptosis evaluation revealed that the three agents promoted the apoptosis of SW620 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and showed different strengths as pyridine > pyrazine > Oxa. Typical early and late apoptotic morphological changes could be detected during electron microscopy. The two novel platinum-based (II) complexes showed a stronger antitumor effect on SW620 cells than oxaliplatin, with the targeted site at a certain phase of cell cycle and apoptosis.