Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

17.2K
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
17.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Probing the molecular determinants of emission enhancement in RNA aptamer-metal complex systems.

Photochemistry and photobiology·2026
Same author

Supramolecular self-assemblies of Ru(II) phototherapeutics: biological activity of micro- and nano-particles acting as reservoirs.

Journal of materials chemistry. B·2025
Same author

Multifaceted Ru(II) arene systems for phototherapy display activity in lung cancer and melanoma.

Photochemistry and photobiology·2025
Same author

Photo-ejected ligands hyperpolarized by parahydrogen in reversible exchange.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2025
Same author

Photodynamic therapy photosensitizers and photoactivated chemotherapeutics exhibit distinct bioenergetic profiles to impact ATP metabolism.

Chemical science·2024
Same author

Structural and biochemical analyses of the nuclear IκBζ protein in complex with the NF-κB p50 homodimer.

Genes & development·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 24, 2025

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
07:12

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

Published on: October 26, 2017

8.0K

Strained ruthenium complexes are potent light-activated anticancer agents.

Brock S Howerton1, David K Heidary, Edith C Glazer

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, 40506, United States.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 5, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Novel strained ruthenium complexes activate with light for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Light exposure dramatically increases cancer cell killing and shows superior efficacy against tumors compared to cisplatin, offering a new PDT strategy.

More Related Videos

A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting
08:57

A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting

Published on: March 9, 2017

8.7K
The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
10:51

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Published on: April 10, 2015

12.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
07:12

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

Published on: October 26, 2017

8.0K
A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting
08:57

A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting

Published on: March 9, 2017

8.7K
The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
10:51

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Published on: April 10, 2015

12.5K

Area of Science:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Photochemistry

Background:

  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes light-activated compounds to treat diseases.
  • Ruthenium complexes are explored for their potential in cancer therapy.
  • Developing light-sensitive agents with enhanced efficacy is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize novel strained ruthenium complexes for photodynamic therapy (PDT).
  • To investigate the light-triggered activation mechanism and DNA interaction of these complexes.
  • To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-tumor efficacy of the ruthenium agents.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and characterization of strained ruthenium complexes.
  • In vitro phototoxicity assays on cancer cell lines.
  • Evaluation of anti-tumor activity using 3D tumor spheroid models.
  • Assessment of DNA binding and modification upon light activation.

Main Results:

  • Ruthenium complexes were successfully synthesized and demonstrated inertness in the dark.
  • Visible light triggered ligand loss and covalent DNA modification.
  • Light activation resulted in a 100-fold increase in cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
  • The compounds exhibited superior potency compared to cisplatin in 3D tumor spheroid models.

Conclusions:

  • Strained ruthenium complexes are effective light-activated agents for photodynamic therapy.
  • Intramolecular strain serves as a viable strategy for developing novel PDT agents.
  • These findings present a promising new paradigm for light-activated ruthenium-based cancer therapies.