Tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes with 2-acetylpyridine-derived hydrazones are cytotoxic to NCI-H460 human large cell lung cancer

Complexes [ReCl(CO)(3)(H2AcPh)] (1), [ReCl(CO)(3)(H(2)AcpClPh)] center dot 0.5C(7)H(8) (2) and [ReCl(CO)(3)(H(2)AcpNO(2)Ph)] center dot 0.5C(7)H(8) (3) were obtained with 2-acetylpyridine-phenylhydrazone (H2AcPh) and its para-chlorophenylhydrazone (H2AcpClPh) and para-nitrophenylhydrazone (H(2)AcpNO(2)Ph) analogues. Coordination to tricarbonylrhenium(I) resulted in a higher antiproliferative activity against NCI-H460 human large cell lung cancer. Complexes (2) and (3) induced apoptosis on NCI-H460 cells. Complex (2) induced mitochondrial damage while treatment with 3 showed a later response, suggesting that probably the same effect would be observed at higher concentrations or longer treatments. Both complexes (2) and (3) showed a high antioxidant activity, 2 being more potent in reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.