Coordination of the natural ligand lapachol to iron(II): synthesis, theoretical study and antiproliferative activity

Lapachol is a natural naphthoquinone known for having a variety of biological properties, and in recent years, it has been used in the synthesis of metal complexes with biological applications. This work reports on the synthesis, properties and antiproliferative activity of one new metal complex obtained by the reaction of the natural naphthoquinone lapachol with Fe(II). Characterizations by CHN elemental analysis, electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques (infrared, UV-Vis and luminescence) allowed to infer the coordination of two lapachol molecules to the metallic Fe(II) ion through the phenolic and carbonyl oxygens, as well as the presence of two water molecules completing the complex coordination sphere. Molecular modeling was in good agreement with the [Fe(Lap)(2)(H2O)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O complex structure proposed from the experimental data. Antiproliferative activity assay revealed the efficiency of the [Fe(Lap)(2)(H2O)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O complex against some human tumor cell lines, with lowest TGI (Total growth inhibition) value and higher selectivity index for the glioma tumor cell line (U251).

Automated summary

This study reported the synthesis, properties, and antiproliferative activity of a new metal complex obtained by the reaction of Lapachol with Fe(II). Characterizations confirmed the coordination of Lapachol molecules to Fe(II) ion and its efficiency against human tumor cell lines, with high selectivity for glioma tumor cells.