Nitrile-Containing Terpyridyl Zn(II)-Coordination Polymer-Based Metallogelators Displaying Helical Structures: Synthesis, Structures, and ?Druglike? Action against B16-F10 Melanoma Cells

An attempt has been made to develop a self-drug-delivery system against melanoma from a series of metallogelators derived from coordination polymers. Thus, a series of coordination polymers (CP1-CP6) derived from a nitrile-containing terpyridyl ligand (L) and transition metal salts (Cu(I)/Zn(II)) have been synthesized and thoroughly characterized by a number of physicochemical techniques including single crystal X-ray diffraction. Reactions of the ingredients of the coordination polymers guided by their single crystal structures produced four metallogels (CPG2-CPG5) which were characterized by dynamic rheology and TEM. The metallogelator CPG3 turned out to be the best suited for further studies as revealed from MTT assay against melanoma (B16-F10) and assays) not only supported the druglike action against melanoma B16-F10 cells but also suggested that the mechanism of cancer cell death was via mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization-driven apoptosis. Because melanoma B16-F10 is a model cell line for human skin cancer, the metallogel CPG3 may, therefore, be further developed for such treatment.

Automated summary

A self-drug-delivery system against melanoma has been developed using metallogelators derived from coordination polymers. Amongst these metallogelators, CPG3 showed promising results in inhibiting melanoma cell growth by inducing apoptosis through mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization.