Synthesis, Anti-Tumor Activity and Apoptosis-Inducing Effect of Novel Dimeric Keggin-Type Phosphotungstate

A dimeric Keggin-type phosphotungstate (ODA)(10)[(PW11FeO39)(2)O]center dot 9H(2)O (abbreviated as ODA(10)[(PW11Fe)(2)], ODA = octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) was synthesized and investigated comprehensively its antitumor activity on MCF-7 and A549 cells. The dimeric structure and amorphous morphology were characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis-DRS, SEM and XRD. The in vitro MTT assay of ODA(10)[(PW11Fe)(2)] showed anticancer activity on MCF-7 and A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the IC50 values for MCF-7 and A549 cells at 48 h were 5.83 mu g/ml and 3.23 mu g/ml, respectively. The images of the ODA(10)[(PW11Fe)(2)]-treated cells observed by inverted biological microscope exhibited the characteristic morphology of apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed cell apoptosis and cycle arrested at S phase induced by ODA(10)[(PW11Fe)(2)]. The above results illuminated the main mechanism of the antitumor action of ODA(10)[(PW11Fe)(2)] on MCF-7 and A549 cells, indicating that this dimeric phosphotungstate is a promising anticancer drug.

Automated summary

A dimeric Keggin-type phosphotungstate showed promising anticancer activity on MCF-7 and A549 cells, inducing apoptosis and S phase arrest. The characterization of the dimeric structure and morphology, along with in vitro assays, supported its potential as an anticancer drug.