Platinum(II) complexes with steroidal esters of L-methionine and L-histidine: synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity.

Twelve steroidal platinum(II) complexes were synthesized by reaction of potassium tetrachloroplatinate with steroidal esters of L-methionine and L-histidine. The steroidal esters coordinated as bidentate ligands via S and N donor atoms of L-methionine and via two N donor atoms of L-histidine. Cholesterol, cholestanol, diosgenine, pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, estrone, and estradiol were used as the steroidal compounds. The esters and complexes prepared were characterized by infrared, mass, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Platinum complexes were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines: T-lymphoblastic leukemia CEM, breast carcinoma MCF-7, lung carcinoma A-549, multiple myeloma RPMI 8226, and one normal cell line human fibroblast BJ.