title: Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of cis-tetraammine(oxalato)ruthenium(III) dithionate on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa.
abstract: Ruthenium complexes have attracted much attention as possible building blocks for new transition-metal-based antitumor agents. The present study examines the mitotoxic and clastogenic effects induced in the root tips of Allium cepa by cis-tetraammine(oxalato)ruthenium(III) dithionate {cis-[Ru(C(2)O(2))(NH(3))(4)](2)(S(2)O(6))} at different exposure durations and concentrations. Correlation tests were performed to determine the effects of the time of exposure and concentration of ruthenium complex on mitotic index (MI) and mitotic aberration index. A comparison of MI results of cis-[Ru(C(2)O(2))(NH(3))(4)](2)(S(2)O(6)) to those of lead nitrate reveals that the ruthenium complex demonstrates an average mitotic inhibition eightfold higher than lead, with the frequency of cellular abnormalities almost fourfold lower and mitotic aberration threefold lower. A. cepa root cells exposed to a range of ruthenium complex concentrations did not display significant clastogenic effects. Cis-tetraammine(oxalato)ruthenium(III) dithionate therefore exhibits a remarkable capacity to inhibit mitosis, perhaps by inhibiting DNA synthesis or blocking the cell cycle in the G2 phase. Further investigation of the mechanisms of action of this ruthenium complex will be important to define its clinical potential and to contribute to a novel and rational approach to developing a new metal-based drug with antitumor properties complementary to those exhibited by the drugs already in clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, GO, Brazil. pereirafc@gmail.com
authors.forename: Flávia de Castro
authors.initials: Fde C
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Cesar Augusto Sam Tiago
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Vilanova-Costa
authors.forename: Aliny Pereira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.forename: Alessandra de Santana Braga Barbosa
authors.initials: Ade S
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Hugo Delleon
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Luiz Alfredo
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pavanin
authors.forename: Elisângela de Paula
authors.initials: Ede P
authors.lastname: Silveira-Lacerda
mesh_terms: D000490:Allium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000187:drug effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D008940:Mitotic Index; D009566:Nitrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D017975:Ruthenium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008934:Mitogens; D009566:Nitrates; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D017975:Ruthenium Compounds; C544536:tetraammine(oxalato)ruthenium(III); D007854:Lead; C017461:lead nitrate