Antitumour and toxic effects on Wistar rats of two new platinum complexes.
BACKGROUND
Cancer chemotherapy in humans based on metal complexes started at the clinical level in the late 1970s with the use of cisplatin, which forms intra-strand cross-links with DNA.


METHODS
Two new platinum complexes of cis-geometry with the amino acids inosine (ino) and l-alanine (ala), Pt(ino)2Cl2 and cis-[Pt(NH3)2(ala)](NO3), respectively, were synthesized and pure samples were obtained by means of flash chromatography. These complexes were tested on benzo(a)pyrene-induced tumours in Wistar rats to detect their antitumour and toxic effects.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant prolongation of the mean survival time of the animals in the two groups tested (272 +/- 18 days and 246 +/- 26 days, respectively) compared to the control group (195 +/- 22 days) (P < 0.001). Toxic effects included a decrease in leucocyte cell count, mild haemolysis, mild haematuria, mild hepatotoxicity, elevated body temperature and hair loss. All of these effects were reversible after drug discontinuation.


CONCLUSIONS
The two new platinum complexes described here appear to have an effective antitumour activity without severe toxicity when tested on Wistar rats.
Charalabopoulos
K
K
University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. kcharala@cc.uoi.gr
Karkabounas
S
S
Ioachim
E
E
Papalimneou
V
V
Syrigos
K
K
Evangelou
A
A
Agnantis
N
N
Hadjiliadis
N
N
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity; D006417:Hematuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012513:Sarcoma, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
C459422:(platinum(NH3)2(alanine))NO3; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; C459421:platinum(inosine)2Cl2; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene