Synthesis of Pyrene decorated gold terpyridine complex for chemotherapeutic applications

Abstract

Gold complexes are well known for their chemotherapeutic applications. Their mechanism of action involves the inhibition of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) defense system which plays a crucial role in cellular homeostasis against ROS and DNA binding abilities. In a similar direction, we have synthesized a gold(III) terpyridine complex which can effectively inhibit thiol- containing enzymes and attachment of good light-absorbing pyrene unit on terpyridine making it more suitable for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and imaging. Pyrene is also known for its DNA intercalating properties; therefore, our synthesized complex could be further explored for its anticancer applications via DNA intercalation and DNA binding abilities.