AIM: Gliomas are primary brain tumours. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) exerts anti-proliferative effects. Several ruthenium-containing complexes have antiproliferative effects and can be used as adjuvant therapies in cisplatin-resistant cancer. The present study reports on the anti-proliferative properties and effects on tumour morphology of a novel diruthenium-GLA complex (Ru2GLA) and its comparison with GLA in the C6 rat glioma model both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed on C6 glioma rat cells, and in an orthotopic model. RESULTS: Ru2GLA (100 μM) appears to be an inhibitor of C6 rat glioma cell proliferation. The nuclear area of Ru2GLA-treated cells was 2.18-times larger than that of control cells, suggesting DNA replication occurred but mitosis was blocked in the G2-M phase. Ru2GLA (2 mM) inhibited C6 cell proliferation in vivo and the changes in tumor morphology confirm both cellular uptake and collagen fibre-binding in the extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION: Ru2GLA appears to be a low-toxicity drug and a potential candidate for anti-proliferative therapy of glioma.
AIM: Gliomas are primary brain tumours. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) exerts anti-proliferative effects. Several ruthenium-containing complexes have antiproliferative effects and can be used as adjuvant therapies in cisplatin-resistant cancer. The present study reports on the anti-proliferative properties and effects on tumour morphology of a novel diruthenium-GLA complex (Ru2GLA) and its comparison with GLA in the C6 ratglioma model both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed on C6 gliomarat cells, and in an orthotopic model. RESULTS:Ru2GLA (100 μM) appears to be an inhibitor of C6 ratglioma cell proliferation. The nuclear area of Ru2GLA-treated cells was 2.18-times larger than that of control cells, suggesting DNA replication occurred but mitosis was blocked in the G2-M phase. Ru2GLA (2 mM) inhibited C6 cell proliferation in vivo and the changes in tumor morphology confirm both cellular uptake and collagen fibre-binding in the extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION:Ru2GLA appears to be a low-toxicity drug and a potential candidate for anti-proliferative therapy of glioma.