Anticancer Activity of New Na(I) Complex on Retinoblastoma Cells via Inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

Here, through applying 2,6-bis(4′-carboxyl-phenyl)pyridine (H(2)L), a rigid ligand featuring both carboxylic acid and pyridine groups, a new coordination polymer containing Na(I) has been generated with the reaction between H(2)L ligand and NaNO(3) in a water and DMF mixed solvent, and its chemical composition is [Na(2)L](n). Furthermore, the antiproliferative activity of Na(I) complex against the HXO-Rb44 retinoblastoma cells was detected with CCK-8 assay. Hoechst staining along with Annexin V-FITC/PI revealed that Na(I) complex induces the HXO-Rb44 retinoblastoma cells apoptosis. Flow cytometry analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) showed that Na(I) complex significantly increases the level of intracellular ROS. Importantly, western blot analysis revealed that Na(I) complex might induce apoptosis through inactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.