Influence of ancillary ligand L in the nitric oxide photorelease by the [Ru(L)(tpy)NO] complex and its vasodilator activity based on visible light irradiation

The photochemical and pharmacological studies of the novel [Ru(L)(tpy)NO]³⁺ L = bpy (2,2′-bipyridine), NH · NHq (quinonediimine) and NH₂.NH₂cat (o-phenylenediamine) were investigated in aqueous medium. The synthesized nitrosyl ruthenium complexes showed nitric oxide (NO) release under light irradiation at 355 nm for [Ru(L)(tpy)NO]³⁺ complex with quantum yield of 0.14 ± 0.02, 0.47 ± 0.03 and 0.46 ± 0.02 mol Einstein⁻¹ for L = bpy, NH · NHq and NH₂ · NH₂cat, respectively, and 0.0065 ± 0.001 mol Einstein⁻¹ for light irradiation at 532 nm for [Ru(NH · NHq)(tpy)NO]³⁺ complex. The photochemical pathway at 355 nm light irradiation was described as a multi-step mechanism, although at 532 nm it was better attributed to a photo-induced electron transfer. The vasorelaxation induced by NO release produced by light irradiation in visible region from physiological solution of [Ru(NH · NHq)(tpy)NO]³⁺ complex was evaluated and compared with sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The results showed very similar vasodilator power between both species.     

A nitrosyl hydride complex of a heme model [Ru(ttp)(HNO)(1-MeIm)] (ttp=tetratolylporphyrinato dianion)

Hydride reduction of the bound nitrosyl ligand in [Ru(ttp)(NO)(1-MeIm)]BF(4) (upsilon NO 1862 cm(-1); ttp=tetratolylporphyrinato dianion) by sodium borohydride in anhydrous methanol leads to the generation of the first experimentally observable heme-model-HNO complex [Ru(ttp)(HNO)(1-MeIm)] in 77% isolated yield. The (1)H NMR spectrum of the compound in CDCl(3) shows a downfield resonance at 13.64 ppm assigned to the proton of the HNO ligand, and this peak splits into a doublet (JNH Hz) in the [Ru(ttp)(H(15)NO)(1-MeIm)] derivative. The IR spectrum of the solid as a KBr pellet reveals a strong band at 1380 cm(-1) assigned to upsilon NO; this band shifts to 1348 cm(-1) in the isotope-labeled [Ru(ttp)(H(15)NO)(1-MeIm)].     

Mechanistic studies on AMD6221: a ruthenium-based nitric oxide scavenger

Nitric oxide is a mediator of many disease states. Previous studies have demonstrated that ruthenium(III) polyaminocarboxylates can react with NO to form stable complexes reducing the levels of nitrite in the culture medium of stimulated RAW264 macrophages and reverse the NO-mediated hypotension in animal models of septic shock. It was necessary to confirm that these observations were due to NO scavenging and not inhibition of the NO metabolic pathway. Using RAW264 cells it was confirmed that [Ru(H(3)dtpa)(Cl)] (AMD6221) was neither acting at the level of iNOS induction, nor as an inhibitor of iNOS by measuring iNOS mRNA by RT-PCR and protein by Western blot and enzyme activity. Using HPLC, the nitrosyl adduct of reaction of AMD6221, [Ru(H(2)dtpa)NO], was identified in the medium of stimulated RAW264 cells co-incubated with AMD6221, concomitant with a stoichiometric reduction in nitrite/nitrate levels, thus confirming that the ruthenium(III) polyaminocarboxylates exert their pharmacological effect by scavenging NO.     

trans-[Ru(NO)(NH3)4(py)](BF4)3.H2O encapsulated in PLGA microparticles for delivery of nitric oxide to B16-F10 cells: Cytotoxicity and phototoxicity

The NO donor trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(py)](BF(4))(3).H(2)O (py=pyridine) was loaded into poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles using the double emulsification technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering revealed that the particles are spherical in shape, have a diameter of 1600nm, and have low tendency to aggregate. The entrapment efficiency was 25%. SEM analysis of the melanoma cell B16-F10 in the presence of the microparticles containing the complex trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(py)](BF(4))(3).H(2)O (pyMP) showed that the microparticles were adhered to the cell surface after 2h of incubation. The complex with concentrations lower than 1x10(-4)M did not show toxicity in B16-F10 murine cells. The complex in solution is toxic at higher concentrations (>1x10(-3)M), with cell death attributed to NO release following the reduction of the complex. pyMP is not cytotoxic due to the lower bioavailability and availability of the entrapped complex to the medium and its reducing agents. However, pyMP is phototoxic upon light irradiation. The phototoxicity strongly suggests that cell death is due to NO release from trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(py)](3+). This work shows that pyMP can serve as a model for a drug delivery system carrying the NO donor trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(py)](BF(4))(3).H(2)O, which can release NO locally at the tumor cell by irradiation with light only.     

Release of NO by a nitrosyl complex upon activation by the mitochondrial reducing power

The reaction of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](3+) and mitochondria was investigated through differential pulse polarography and fluorimetry. The nitrosyl complex undergoes one-electron reduction centered on the NO ligand site. The reaction between the mitochondrial reductor and trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](3+) exhibits a second order specific rate constant calculated as k=2 x 10(1) M(-1) s(-1). The reduced species, trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](2+), quickly releases NO, yielding trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)H(2)O](2+). The low toxicities of both trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)(NO)](2+) and trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)H(2)O](2+) and its ability to release NO after reductive activation in a biological medium make the nitrosyl compound a useful model of a hypotensive drug.     

The effects of ruthenium tetraammine compounds on vascular smooth muscle.

The time course of the relaxation effect induced by a single dose (3 x 10(-6) mol/L) of trans-[Ru(NH3)4L(NO)]3+ (L=nic, 4-pic, py, imN, P(OEt)3, SO(3)(2-), NH3, and pz) species and sodium nitroprusside (4 x 10(-9) mol/L) was studied in aortic rings without endothelium and pre-contracted with noradrenaline (1 x 10(-6) mol/L). All the compounds induced a relaxing effect in the aortic rings, but the intensity and time of relaxation were different. Only the species where L=py, 4-pic, and P(OEt)3 were able to induce 100% (99-100%) of the relaxing effect during the assay. trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)(NO)]3+ (L=SO(3)(2-) and NH3) showed the lowest relaxing effect (36 and 37%, respectively) when compared with the other compounds. Relationship was observed between the time corresponding to half of the maximum relaxation intensity observed and, respectively, k-NO, E0'[Ru(NO)]3+/[Ru(NO)]2+ in trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)(NO)]3+ species and E0'Ru(III)/Ru(II) in trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)(H2O)]3+ ions. These relationships strongly suggested that the NO liberation from the reduced nitrosyl complexes was responsible for the observed relaxation.     

Hypotensive properties and acute toxicity of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)(NO)](PF(6))(3), a new nitric oxide donor.

The hypotensive effect and the acute toxicity of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)(NO)](PF(6))(3) (RuNO) were investigated in conscious animals. The approximate lethal dose of RuNO is 257.5 micromol/kg in mice i.p. and the IC(50) values evaluated for V79 culture cell cytotoxicity were higher than 2.0 mM, suggesting that the ruthenium species are significantly less toxic than Na(2)[Fe(CN)(5)(NO)] (SNP) species. The RuNO hypotensive effect measured through in-bolus intravenous administration in chronically instrumented normotensive and hypotensive adult male Wistar rats is similar to that exhibited by equivalent doses of SNP. The hypotensive effect of the ruthenium complex is fully inhibited by methylene blue and PTIO, suggesting that the RuNO effect is likely to be primarily dependent on the NO-[cGMP] pathway in the smooth muscle cells.     

Experimental Chemotherapy in Paracoccidioidomycosis Using Ruthenium NO Donor

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a granulomatous disease caused by a dimorphic fungus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb). To determine the influence of nitric oxide (NO) on this disease, we tested cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO)SO3](PF6), ruthenium nitrosyl, which releases NO when activated by biological reducing agents, in BALB/c mice infected intravenously with Pb 18 isolate. In a previous study by our group, the fungicidal activity of ruthenium nitrosyl was evaluated in a mouse model of acute PCM, by measuring the immune cellular response (DTH), histopathological characteristics of the granulomatous lesions (and numbers), cytokines, and NO production. We found that cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO)SO3](PF6)-treated mice were more resistant to infection, since they exhibited higher survival when compared with the control group. Furthermore, we observed a decreased influx of inflammatory cells in the lung and liver tissue of treated mice, possibly because of a minor reduction in fungal cell numbers. Moreover, an increased production of IL-10 and a decrease in TNF-α levels were detected in lung tissues of infected mice treated with cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO)SO3](PF6). Immunohistochemistry showed that there was no difference in the number of VEGF- expressing cells. The animals treated with cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO)SO3](PF6) showed high NO levels at 40 days after infection. These results show that NO is effectively involved in the mechanism that regulates the immune response in lung of Pb-infected mice. These data suggest that NO is a resistance factor during paracoccidioidomycosis by controlling fungal proliferation, influencing cytokine production, and consequently moderating the development of a strong inflammatory response.     

Metal–metal interactions in linear tri-, penta-, hepta-, and nona-nuclear ruthenium string complexes

Density functional theory (DFT) methodology was used to examine the structural properties of linear metal string complexes: [Ru(3)(dpa)(4)X(2)] (X = Cl(-), CN(-), NCS(-), dpa = dipyridylamine(-)), [Ru(5)(tpda)(4)Cl(2)], and hypothetical, not yet synthesized complexes [Ru(7)(tpta)(4)Cl(2)] and [Ru(9)(ppta)(4)Cl(2)] (tpda = tri-α-pyridyldiamine(2-), tpta = tetra-α-pyridyltriamine(3-), ppta = penta-α-pyridyltetraamine(4-)). Our specific focus was on the two longest structures and on comparison of the string complexes and unsupported ruthenium backboned chain complexes, which have weaker ruthenium-ruthenium interactions. The electronic structures were studied with the aid of visualized frontier molecular orbitals, and Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was used to study the interactions between ruthenium atoms. The electron density was found to be highest and distributed most evenly between the ruthenium atoms in the hypothetical [Ru(7)(tpta)(4)Cl(2)] and [Ru(9)(ppta)(4)Cl(2)] string complexes.     

Interaction of polypyridyl ruthenium (II) complex containing asymmetric ligand with DNA

A novel asymmetric bidentate ruthenium (II) complex, [Ru(bpy)(2)(PYNI)](2+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, PYNI=2-(2'-pyridyl)naphthoimidazole), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS (electrospray mass spectra) and (1)H NMR. The electrochemical behaviors of this complex were studied by cyclic voltammetry. DNA interaction studies suggest that [Ru(bpy)(2)(PYNI)](2+) binds to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) in an intercalative mode. Interestingly, this new Ru(II) complex has also been found to promote cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from the supercoiled form I to the open circular form II upon irradiation.     

Release of NO from a nitrosyl ruthenium complex through oxidation of mitochondrial NADH and effects on mitochondria

Nitrosyl ruthenium complexes are promising NO donor agents with numerous advantages for the biologic applications of NO. We have characterized the NO release from the nitrosyl ruthenium complex [Ru(NO(2))(bpy)(2)(4-pic)](+) (I) and the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)-mediated NO actions on isolated rat liver mitochondria. The results indicated that oxidation of mitochondrial NADH promotes NO release from (I) in a manner mediated by NO(2) formation (at neutral pH) as in mammalian cells, followed by an oxygen atom transfer mechanism (OAT). The NO released from (I) uncoupled mitochondria at low concentrations/incubation times and inhibited the respiratory chain at high concentrations/incubation times. In the presence of ROS generated by mitochondria NO gave rise to peroxynitrite, which, in turn, inhibited the respiratory chain and oxidized membrane protein-thiols to elicit a Ca(2+)-independent mitochondrial permeability transition; this process was only partially inhibited by cyclosporine-A, almost fully inhibited by the thiol reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and fully inhibited by the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO). These actions correlated with the release of cytochrome c from isolated mitochondria as detected by Western blotting analysis. These events, typically involved in cell necrosis and/or apoptosis denote a potential specific action of (I) and analogs against tumor cells via mitochondria-mediated processes.     

Acidity and photolability of ruthenium salen nitrosyl and aquo complexes in aqueous solutions

The photochemical behavior of nitrosyl complexes Ru(salen)(NO)(OH₂)⁺ and Ru(salen)(NO)Cl (salen = N,N′-ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato) dianion) in aqueous solution is described. Irradiation with light in the 350-450 nm range resulted in nitric oxide (NO) release from both. For Ru(salen)(NO)Cl secondary photoreactions also resulted in chloride aquation. Thus, in both cases the final photoproduct is the diaquo cation , for which pK_a’s of 5.9 and 9.1 were determined for the coordinated waters. The pK_a of the Ru(salen)(NO)(OH₂)⁺ cation was also determined as 4.5 ± 0.1, and the relative acidities of these ruthenium aquo units are discussed in the context of the bonding interactions between Ru(III) and NO.     

Hypotensive and vasorelaxing effects of the new NO-donor [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+) in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Drugs that release nitric oxide (NO) usually have limitations due to their harmful effects. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induces a rapid hypotension that leads to reflex tachycardia, which could be an undesirable effect in patients with heart disease, a common feature of hypertension. The nitrosyl ruthenium complex [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO(+)](3+) (TERPY) is a NO donor that is less potent than SNP in denuded aortic rings. This study evaluated the hypotension and vasorelaxation induced by this NO donor in Wistar (W) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and compared to the results obtained with SNP. Differently from the hypotension induced by SNP, the action of TERPY was slow, long lasting and it did not lead to reflex tachycardia in both groups. The hypotension induced by the NO-donors was more potent in SHR than in W. TERPY induced relaxation with similar efficacy to SNP, although its potency is lower in both strains. The relaxation induced by TERPY is similar in W and SHR, but SNP is more potent and efficient in SHR. The relaxation induced by TERPY is partially dependent on guanylate cyclase in SHR aorta. The NO released from the NO donors measured with DAF-2 DA by confocal microscopy shows that TERPY releases similar amounts of NO in W and SHR, while SNP releases more NO in SHR aortic rings.     

Reactions of the Tridentate and Tetradentate Amine Ligands di-(2-picolyl)(N-ethyl)amine and 2,5-Bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2,5 diazohexane with Technetium Nitrosyl Complexes

The reaction of the Tc(II) nitrosyl complex (Bu₄N)[Tc(NO)Cl₄] with di-(2-picolyl)(NEt)amine in methanol yields the neutral complex [Tc(NO)Cl(py-N(Et)-py)]. The reaction of the Tc(I) nitrosyl complex [Tc(NO)Cl₂(HOMe)(PPh₃)₂] with this tridentate ligand yields cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(py-N(Et)-py)(PPh₃)]Cl. These two complexes have been structurally characterized. The reaction of [Tc(NO)Cl₂(HOMe)(PPh₃)₂] with the tetradentate ligand 1,4-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazobutane yields a mixture of products including cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(py-NH-NH-py)]Cl and cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(PPh₃)(py-NH-NH∼py)]Cl, with a pyridyl terminus left dangling.     

Synthesis and structure of cycloruthenated carbonyl complexes and their emission, redox and biological properties

An interesting series of mononuclear organoruthenium complexes of formulation [Ru(CO)(PPh3)2(ap-R)] (where ap-R = -H, -Cl, -Me, -OMe, -OEt) have been synthesized from the reaction of five 2-(arylazo)phenol ligands with ruthenium(II) precursor [RuH(Cl)(CO)(PPh3)3] in benzene under reflux. The 2-(arylazo)phenolate ligands behave as dianionic tridentate ligand and are coordinated to ruthenium through C, N and O by dissociation of the phenolic and phenyl proton at the ortho position of the phenyl ring forming two five-membered chelate rings. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy. In dichloromethane solution all the metal complexes exhibit characteristic metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption and emission bands in the visible region. The structures of [Ru(CO)(PPh3)2(ap-H)] and [Ru(CO)(PPh3)2(ap-Cl)] have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetric data of all the complexes show a Ru(III)/Ru(II) oxidation and reduction Ru(II)/Ru(I) within the range 0.74-0.84 V and -0.38 to -0.50 V vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE) respectively. The potentials are observed with respect to the electronic nature of substituents (R) in the 2-(arylazo)phenolate ligands. Further, the free ligands and their ruthenium complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities, which have shown great promise in inhibiting the growth of both gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and fungus Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. These results made it desirable to delineate a comparison between free ligands and their complexes.     

The influence of NO-containing ruthenium complexes on mouse hippocampal evoked potentials in vitro

The influence of different, nitric oxide-containing ruthenium complexes on the evoked potentials recorded from the CA1 region of the mouse hippocampus in vitro has been investigated. Of the compounds tested, only trans-[(NO)(P(OEt)3)(NH3)4Ru](PF6)3 (1-2.5 mM) exerted a strong facilitatory action on the population spike, the EPSP, and the spontaneous activity. Its activity probably depends upon its ability to release NO following reduction. The phosphito ligand is important both in terms of adjusting the reduction potential of the complex to be biologically accessible and in labilizing the coordinated NO. The effects of this compound could not be reversed by perfusion. Scavenging NO in slices preincubated with oxyhemoglobin prior to the addition of this compound eliminated its neurophysiological effects. The control molecules trans-[(P(OEt)3)2(NH3)4Ru](PF6)2, trans-[(H2O)(P(OEt)3) (NH3)4Ru](PF6)3, and [(NO)(NH3)5Ru]Cl3, which are structurally similar, but unable to generate NO, were ineffective. NaNO2 suppressed neuronal firing. Attempts to induce Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) at the time of maximal effect of trans-[(NO)(P(OEt)3)(NH3)4Ru](PF6)3 were unsuccessful, suggesting that the mechanism of amplification induced by trans-[(NO)(P(OEt)3)(NH3)4Ru](PF6)3 and LTP may share common pathways.     

Structure-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity of the isomeric complexes [Ru(L)2Cl2] (L=o-tolylazopyridine and 4-methyl-2-phenylazopyridine) in comparison to [Ru(azpy)2Cl2]

The dichlorobis(2-phenylazopyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(azpy)(2)Cl(2)], are under renewed investigation due to their potential anticancer activity. The three most common isomers alpha-, beta- and gamma-[RuL(2)Cl(2)] with L= o-tolylazopyridine (tazpy) and 4-methyl-2-phenylazopyridine (mazpy) (alpha indicating the coordinating Cl, N(pyridine) and Nazo atoms in mutual cis, trans, cis positions, beta indicating the coordinating Cl, N(pyridine) and Nazo atoms in mutual cis, cis, cis positions, and gamma indicating the coordinating Cl, N(pyridine) and Nazo atoms in mutual trans, cis, cis positions) are synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of gamma-[Ru(tazpy)(2)Cl(2)] and alpha-[Ru(mazpy)(2)Cl(2)] are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The IC(50) values of the geometrically isomeric [Ru(tazpy)(2)Cl(2)] and [Ru(mazpy)(2)Cl(2)] complexes compared with those of the parent [Ru(azpy)(2)Cl(2)] complexes are determined in a series of human tumour cell lines (MCF-7, EVSA-T, WIDR, IGROV, M19, A498 and H266). These data unambiguously show for all complexes the following trend: the alpha isomer shows a very high cytotoxicity, whereas the beta isomer is a factor 10 less cytotoxic. The gamma isomers of [Ru(tazpy)(2)Cl(2)] and [Ru(mazpy)(2)Cl(2)] display a very high cytotoxicity comparable to that of the gamma isomer of the parent compound [Ru(azpy)(2)Cl(2)] and to that of the alpha isomer. These biological data are of the utmost importance for a better understanding of the structure-activity relationships for the isomeric [RuL(2)Cl(2)] complexes.     

Photodissociation of a ruthenium(II) arene complex and its subsequent interactions with biomolecules: a density functional theory study

The piano-stool Ru(II) arene complex [(η(6)-benz)Ru(bpm)(py)](2+) (benz?=?benzene, bpm?=?2,2'-bipyrimidine, and py?=?pyridine), which is conventionally nonlabile (on a timescale and under conditions relevant for biological reactivity), can be activated by visible light to selectively photodissociate the monodentate ligand (py). In the present study, the aquation and binding of the photocontrolled ruthenium(II) arene complex [(η(6)-benz)Ru(bpm)(py)](2+) to various biomolecules are studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT). Potential energy curves (PECs) calculated for the Ru-N (py) bonds in [(η(6)-benz)Ru(bpm)(py)](2+) in the singlet and triplet state give useful insights into the photodissociation mechanism of py. The binding energies of the various biomolecules are calculated, which allows the order of binding affinities among the considered nuleic-acid- or protein-binding sites to be discerned. The kinetics for the replacement of water in the aqua complex with biomolecules is also considered, and the results demonstrate that guanine is superior to other biomolecules in terms of coordinating with the Ru(II) aqua adduct, which is in reasonable agreement with experimental observations.     

The macrocyclic effect and vasodilation response based on the photoinduced nitric oxide release from trans-[RuCl(tetraazamacrocycle)NO](2+)

Irradiation of trans-[RuCl(cyclam)(NO)](2+), cyclam is 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, at pHs 1-7.4, with near UV light results in the release of NO and formation of trans-[Ru(III)Cl(OH)(cyclam)](+) with pH dependent quantum yields (from approximately 0.01 to 0.16 mol Einstein(-1)) lower than that for trans-[RuCl([15]aneN(4))(NO)](2+), [15]aneN(4) is 1,4,8,12-tetaazacyclopentadecane, (0.61 mol Einstein(-1)). After irradiation with 355 nm light, the trans-[RuCl([15]aneN(4))(NO)](2+) induces relaxation of the aortic ring, whereas the trans-[RuCl(cyclam)(NO)](2+) complex does not. The relaxation observed with trans-[RuCl([15]aneN(4))(NO)](2+) is consistent with a larger quantum yield of release of NO from this complex.     

Chiral ruthenium complexes induce apoptosis of tumor cell and interact with bovine serum albumin

In this study, two isomeric ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(p-mopip)](2+) (1) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(o-mopip)](2+) (2) (bpy = 2, 2-bipyridine; L: p-mopip = 2-(4-methoxylphenyl) imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, o-mopip = 2-(2-methoxylphenyl) imidazo[4,5-f][1,10] phenan-throline) contained -OCH(3) at different positions on the phenyl ring and their enantiomers Λ-1, -2 and Δ-1, -2 displayed different properties. The cell viability of these ruthenium(II) complexes was evaluated by MTT, and complex Λ-1 has shown significant higher anticancer potency than Δ-1 against all the cell lines screened. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analyses demonstrated that complex Λ-1 was able to induce apoptosis. The interactions of complexes Λ-1, 1, and Δ-1 with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of BSA by complexes Λ-1, 1, and Δ-1 was determined to be a static process, and the apparent binding constant K(a) values is as follows: Λ-1 >1 > Δ-1. The number of binding sites n for all these complexes was 1. The result of CD showed that the secondary structure of BSA molecules was changed in the presence of the ruthenium(II) complex.