Cytotoxicity and effects of 1,10-phenanthroline and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline derivatives on some immunocompetent cells.

The biological activity of previously synthesized compounds [(phen)(3)(H(+))(2)(NO(3)(-))(2) (1), Pd(5-NH(2)-phen)(2)(NO(3))(2) (2) and Pd(phen)(2)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O) (3)] was investigated in vivo. The three compounds did not show any histological alterations in the observed lung, liver, spleen and lymph nodes of White Wistar rats. The propidium iodine staining did not discover any cytotoxic effect of the tested derivatives. The tests for immunological response predominantly showed stimulation of the antibody-producing B-cells and lower or no stimulation of the T-cells. The LIF-test showed better stimulation of all lymphocytes with 1, followed by 2 and 3. Substance 3 showed highest stimulating effect on B-cell blood lymphocytes in all doses (maximum in the lowest dose), whereas the impact of 2 is weaker and that of 1 is the weakest. The T-cell immune response after treatment with substance 1 is best influenced by dose of 1mg in the spleen cell-fraction, followed by 3 (5 mg).