Ru(ii) based dual nitric oxide donors: electrochemical and photochemical reactivities and vasorelaxant effect with no cytotoxicity

Abstract

The synthesized complexes, cis-[Ru(NO)(NO₂)(phen)₂](PF₆)₂ (NONO2P) and cis-[Ru(NO)(NO₂)(bpy)₂](PF₆)₂ (NONO2B), were characterized by using elemental analysis, voltammetry and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Under electrochemical and photochemical stimulation in an aqueous medium, there are indications of the formation of complexes, which suggests that the nitro and nitrosyl groups are converted into nitric oxide. Both compounds do not show cytotoxic activity against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The cis-[Ru(NO)(NO₂)(phen)₂](PF₆)₂ complex presented vasorelaxation activity in superior mesenteric arteries from Wistar rats: the biphasic concentration–response curve indicates two sites of action. In the presence of NO scavengers, we observed an impaired relaxing effect induced by NONO2P, suggesting that the vasorelaxant effect is due to NO production from this compound.