Ru-Based NSAIDs as Potential Anticancer Therapeutics

The use of metal-based species bearing existing pharmaceuticals as ligands-often resulting in enhanced bioactivity-represents an attractive strategy for the development of novel therapeutic formulations. In this context, five well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were employed to substitute both PPh₃ and hydride ligands in [Ru(H)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (<b>1</b>), thereby selectively affording neutral κ²-(O,O)-chelate complexes in satisfactory yields via molecular hydrogen release. Among the obtained species, two complexes coordinating diclofenac (<b>4</b>) and aspirin (<b>5</b>) were further investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). Preliminary biological studies were conducted on the ruthenium-salicylic acid species <b>2</b> and ibuprofen <b>6</b>. The former showed promising antiproliferative activity against HeLa cancer cells, consistent with the well-established role of NSAID-ruthenium(II) complexes as a platform for the development of novel anticancer metallotherapeutics.