Synthesis, antiproliferative and mitochondrial impairment activities of bis-alkyl-amino transplatinum complexes

A convenient synthetic route and the characterization of complexes trans-[PtCl2(L)(PPh3)] (L = Et2NH (2), (PhCH2)2NH (3), (HOCH2CH2)2NH) (4) are reported. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated on three human tumor cell lines. The investigation on the mechanism of action highlighted for the most active complex 4 the capacity to affect mitochondrial functions. In particular, both the induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition phenomenon and an aspecific membrane damage occurred, depending on concentration.