Phototoxicity of Half-Sandwich Rhodium(III) Complexes with Anthracene and Biphenyl Substituents toward Mammalian Cancer Cells and Multicellular Tumor Spheroids.

ABSTRACT: We report the synthesis and characterization of three half-sandwich rhodium(III) complexes incorporating anthracene and biphenyl moieties to investigate their photobiological activity. Complexes 1 and 2, bearing anthracene-based Schiff base ligand, displayed pronounced phototoxicity upon blue-light irradiation, with complex 2 achieving a phototoxicity index of 144 in A375 melanoma cells. In contrast, complex 3, lacking the anthracene unit, was photoinactive. Photoactivation of complexes 1 and 2 induced -N═CH- Schiff bond cleavage, releasing anthracene-9-carbaldehyde, as confirmed by UV-vis and mass spectrometry. Blue light also enabled catalytic oxidation of NADH to NAD⁺. Mechanistic studies revealed oncosis-like cell death mediated by r

SUBMITTER: Andrsova P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516717 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature