Preparation of a Novel Polymer-Complex Supported Iron (ΙΙΙ) and Study of Its Anti-Cancer Properties

Hypothesis: Due to the alternating hydroxyl and secondary amine groups, the polymer poly(1-(2-((3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)amino)ethyl)-1'-ethyl-[4,4'-bipyridine]-1,1'-diium) (poly(AHAEBD)), is highly prone to complex formation. In this case, iron (III) was selected for complexation with poly(AHAEBD) due to its effective role in metabolic activities in the body then, anticancer effects of the synthesized compounds were evaluated on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Methods: 1,1'-Bis(2-aminoethyl)-[4,4'-bipyridine]-1,1'-diium (BABD) was prepared from the reaction of 4,4'-bipyridine and 2-aminoethyl. The polymer, (poly(AHAEBD)), was synthesized from the reaction of BABD and epichlorohydrin, and then complexed with iron (III) to prepare ([Fe(poly(AHAEBD)2].Na3). The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed using Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effects of [Fe(poly(AHAEBD)2].Na3, poly(AHAEBD), and cisplatin as a reference were evaluated on MCF-7 cell line using the MTT assay. Findings: The IC50 values for the polymer complex [Fe(poly(AHAEBD)2].Na3 (0.53 µg/mL), cisplatin (2.68 µg/mL), and poly(AHAEBD) (1.14 µg/mL) were obtained, indicating the superior performance of this polymer complex in inhibiting cancer cell growth compared to cisplatin as well as displaying the effect of complex formation with iron in increase the cytotoxicity compared to poly(AHAEBD). The impact of the synthesized polymer on the MCF-7 cancer cell line, on one hand, as well as the effect of increased iron levels in stopping the growth of cancer cells, and on the other hand, it has resulted in the effective performance of this complex polymer in stopping the growth of cancer cells in in vitro tests. Based on the results obtained, this polymer complex can be considered as a potential candidate for further investigation as an anticancer drug.