# Synthesis of Isatin Derivative on the Short Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Effect on the MKN-45 and SW742 Cancer Cells

Authors: Hasan Tahermansouri; Farshid Chitgar
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2013)

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## Abstract

The carboxylated short multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Sh-MWCNT-COOH) were first modified by isatin derivative to form Sh-MWCNT-Amide and then by hydrazine to produce Sh-MWCNT-Spiro. All products were characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetric, solubility test, and cellular investigations. This functionalization has been chosen due to active sites of OH and carbonyl groups in Sh-MWCNT-Amide which might be used as functional materials in the future.  Toxicity of these samples was evaluated with human gastric and colon cancer cells, and killed cell numbers were measured by reduction of living cells with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Cellular results showed high toxicity of Sh-MWCNT-Amide in all samples investigated.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

One of the representative paradigms among nanostructured carbon materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), has attracted great attention because of remarkable properties in the fields of molecular electronics,   sensors,  composite materials, and cancer therapy [1–3]. The possibility of functionalization of CNTs, together with their use as nanocontainers for chemical reactions, is in close analogy with recently developed, assembled, nanotubular carbon-based structures [4, 5]. The potential use of MWCNTs to treat several types of cancer, with minimal or no toxic effects on normal cells, was reported in two papers [6, 7]. Also, biomedical applications of CNTs are investigated actively due to their useful combination of size and physicochemical properties [8, 9]. Recently, the functionalization schemes enabling the implementation of new functions have developed [10]. Functionalized CNTs were shown to cross cell membrane and deliver attached cargos into cells, in which these properties could be exploited in applications such as gene delivery system, therapeutic siRNA silencing, and molecular imaging [11, 12]. On the other hand, covalent functionalization is one interesting and efficient way to modify the properties of CNTs such as their solubility. The pristine CNTs are poorly dispersible in both aqueous and organic solvents  because  their processability is tremendously difficult, but functionalized CNTs can improve the solubility and processability. Thus, the extensive researches have been focused on the functionalization of CNTs which can be cited as cycloaddition [13], oxidation [14], hydrogenation [15], and amidation [16–21]. Also, review articles have been dedicated to this topic [22, 23]. In this current study, we have investigated the attachment of isatin derivative, 3-(2-amino-1-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-3-hydroxyindolin-2-one (Sh-MWCNT-Amide) on the Sh-MWCNT-COOH to produce 5-amino-4-methyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-spiro[imidazo[4,5-c]pyrazole-3,3′-indolin]-2′-one (Sh-MWCNT-Spiro) by the reaction with hydrazine.The wider range of increasing nanotechnology applications for CNTs will almost certainly result in the increased potential for both human and environmental exposures to this nanomaterial. Therefore, it is imperative to thoroughly investigate the toxicity of CNTs. In fact, regarding the potential toxicity of CNTs, there is limited information available in the literatures [24–27]. With this background and by considering potential anticancer agent of this compound [28], isatin derivative, we have investigated the effect of modified MWCNTs on the cancer cells. The toxicity investigations of modified Sh-MWCNTs were carried out on the cancer cells of human gastric and colon. Cellular results showed a high toxicity of Sh-MWCNT-Amide on cancer cells as compared to other samples.


## 2. Experimental

All reagents and solvents (hydrazine hydrate, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), creatinine, and isatin) from Merck Chemical Inc. and Short-MWCNTs-COOH (95% purity, OD: 10–20 nm, length: 0.5–2μm, Neutrino Co., Ltd.) were purchased and used as received. 3-(2-Amino-1-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-3-hydroxyindolin-2-one is prepared from the reaction of creatinine with isatin [28]. FT-IR spectrum was recorded using KBr tablets on a Thermo Nicolet Nexus 870 FTIR Spectrometer. Raman spectra, recorded on Almega Thermo Nicolet Dispersive Raman Spectrometer (532 nm of a Nd: YLF laser). FE-SEM was used to study the morphology of the MWCNTs. FE-SEM measurement was carried out on the Hitachi S4160 (Cold Field Emission) Electron Microscope. Elemental analyses of C, H, N were performed with a 2400 Series II from PerkinElmer Co., USA. The samples were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (NETZSCH TG 209 F1 Iris) in the N2 (10°C/min).


### 2.1. Preparation of Sh-MWCNT-Amide

150 mg of the Sh-MWCNT-COOH was thoroughly dispersed in 30 mL of DMSO by sonication. To this dispersion of the Sh-MWCNT-COOH, 10 mL DMSO solution dissolving  with  350 mg of isatin derivative was added. Then, 10 mL of THF solution of an excess amount of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) was added dropwise to this solution and stirred at room temperature for 96 h. Then, the mixture was filtered and washed thoroughly with DMSO, ethyl alcohol, and THF. Subsequently, the black solid was dried at room temperature for 8 h under vacuum condition.


### 2.2. Preparation of Sh-MWCNT-Spiro

70 mg Sh-MWCNT-Amide was sonicated in 10 mL DMSO for 15 minutes giving out a homogeneous suspension. Then, 20 mL hydrazine was added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred at 80°C for 96 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was separated by centrifugation and washed thoroughly with ethyl alcohol and THF. Thus, the obtained solids were dried by vacuum for 6 h.


### 2.3. Cellular Study

#### 2.3.1. Materials

The following substances were obtained from the sources as indicated. Cell culture medium (RPMI1640), fetal calf serum, 0.25% trypsin with  1 mM of ethylene  diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), streptomycin sulfate, and penicillin G sodium, all from GIBCO (Grand Island, NY, USA), were obtained. Human gastric cancer cell lines (MKN45) (NCBI number C615) and human colon cancer cell lines (SW742) were provided by the Iranian Pastor Institute Cell Bank (Tehran, Iran).


#### 2.3.2. Cell Culture

MKN-45 or SW742 was cultured in RPMI1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% L-glutamine, penicillin, and streptomycin. For these experiments, cells were seeded at a density of 1 × 105 cells/mL in 96-well plates. At least three time points are depicted for each assay.


#### 2.3.3. Cell Proliferation

The MTT assay (Sigma) was used to evaluate the proliferative activity. Cells grown in 96-well plates were exposed to modified Sh-MWCNTs. Exposure to 50μL RPMI1640 was used as a negative control and 50 μL dimethyl sulfoxide as a positive control. After 48 h, 20 μL of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) solution at 0.5 mg/mL in Hank’s balanced salt solution was added to each well and incubated for 4 h. Afterward, 150 μL of the MTT solution (10% Triton X-100 in 0.1 N HCl in anhydrous isopropanol) was added to each well. The resulting formazan crystals were solubilized in acidic isopropanol and quantified by measuring absorbance at 570 nm with microplate reader (Rayto RT-6100). Data were calibrated to the appropriate calibration curve, as stated in Sigma protocols.


#### 2.3.4. Statistics

All data were collected using Excel. Graphing and statistics were performed with SPSS 11.5. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD (x ± s). Data were analyzed using one-way   ANOVA  to determine the difference among groups. Relative growth rate (RGR) of cells was calculated using the following formula: RGR = OD of each group/OD of natural group × 100%. To determine the cytotoxic response of the Sh-MWCNTs to cells in culture, 6-graded toxicity and other analytic methods were used.


## 2.1. Preparation of Sh-MWCNT-Amide

150 mg of the Sh-MWCNT-COOH was thoroughly dispersed in 30 mL of DMSO by sonication. To this dispersion of the Sh-MWCNT-COOH, 10 mL DMSO solution dissolving  with  350 mg of isatin derivative was added. Then, 10 mL of THF solution of an excess amount of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) was added dropwise to this solution and stirred at room temperature for 96 h. Then, the mixture was filtered and washed thoroughly with DMSO, ethyl alcohol, and THF. Subsequently, the black solid was dried at room temperature for 8 h under vacuum condition.


## 2.2. Preparation of Sh-MWCNT-Spiro

70 mg Sh-MWCNT-Amide was sonicated in 10 mL DMSO for 15 minutes giving out a homogeneous suspension. Then, 20 mL hydrazine was added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred at 80°C for 96 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was separated by centrifugation and washed thoroughly with ethyl alcohol and THF. Thus, the obtained solids were dried by vacuum for 6 h.


## 2.3. Cellular Study

### 2.3.1. Materials

The following substances were obtained from the sources as indicated. Cell culture medium (RPMI1640), fetal calf serum, 0.25% trypsin with  1 mM of ethylene  diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), streptomycin sulfate, and penicillin G sodium, all from GIBCO (Grand Island, NY, USA), were obtained. Human gastric cancer cell lines (MKN45) (NCBI number C615) and human colon cancer cell lines (SW742) were provided by the Iranian Pastor Institute Cell Bank (Tehran, Iran).


### 2.3.2. Cell Culture

MKN-45 or SW742 was cultured in RPMI1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% L-glutamine, penicillin, and streptomycin. For these experiments, cells were seeded at a density of 1 × 105 cells/mL in 96-well plates. At least three time points are depicted for each assay.


### 2.3.3. Cell Proliferation

The MTT assay (Sigma) was used to evaluate the proliferative activity. Cells grown in 96-well plates were exposed to modified Sh-MWCNTs. Exposure to 50μL RPMI1640 was used as a negative control and 50 μL dimethyl sulfoxide as a positive control. After 48 h, 20 μL of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) solution at 0.5 mg/mL in Hank’s balanced salt solution was added to each well and incubated for 4 h. Afterward, 150 μL of the MTT solution (10% Triton X-100 in 0.1 N HCl in anhydrous isopropanol) was added to each well. The resulting formazan crystals were solubilized in acidic isopropanol and quantified by measuring absorbance at 570 nm with microplate reader (Rayto RT-6100). Data were calibrated to the appropriate calibration curve, as stated in Sigma protocols.


### 2.3.4. Statistics

All data were collected using Excel. Graphing and statistics were performed with SPSS 11.5. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD (x ± s). Data were analyzed using one-way   ANOVA  to determine the difference among groups. Relative growth rate (RGR) of cells was calculated using the following formula: RGR = OD of each group/OD of natural group × 100%. To determine the cytotoxic response of the Sh-MWCNTs to cells in culture, 6-graded toxicity and other analytic methods were used.


## 2.3.1. Materials

The following substances were obtained from the sources as indicated. Cell culture medium (RPMI1640), fetal calf serum, 0.25% trypsin with  1 mM of ethylene  diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), streptomycin sulfate, and penicillin G sodium, all from GIBCO (Grand Island, NY, USA), were obtained. Human gastric cancer cell lines (MKN45) (NCBI number C615) and human colon cancer cell lines (SW742) were provided by the Iranian Pastor Institute Cell Bank (Tehran, Iran).


## 2.3.2. Cell Culture

MKN-45 or SW742 was cultured in RPMI1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% L-glutamine, penicillin, and streptomycin. For these experiments, cells were seeded at a density of 1 × 105 cells/mL in 96-well plates. At least three time points are depicted for each assay.


## 2.3.3. Cell Proliferation

The MTT assay (Sigma) was used to evaluate the proliferative activity. Cells grown in 96-well plates were exposed to modified Sh-MWCNTs. Exposure to 50μL RPMI1640 was used as a negative control and 50 μL dimethyl sulfoxide as a positive control. After 48 h, 20 μL of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) solution at 0.5 mg/mL in Hank’s balanced salt solution was added to each well and incubated for 4 h. Afterward, 150 μL of the MTT solution (10% Triton X-100 in 0.1 N HCl in anhydrous isopropanol) was added to each well. The resulting formazan crystals were solubilized in acidic isopropanol and quantified by measuring absorbance at 570 nm with microplate reader (Rayto RT-6100). Data were calibrated to the appropriate calibration curve, as stated in Sigma protocols.


## 2.3.4. Statistics

All data were collected using Excel. Graphing and statistics were performed with SPSS 11.5. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD (x ± s). Data were analyzed using one-way   ANOVA  to determine the difference among groups. Relative growth rate (RGR) of cells was calculated using the following formula: RGR = OD of each group/OD of natural group × 100%. To determine the cytotoxic response of the Sh-MWCNTs to cells in culture, 6-graded toxicity and other analytic methods were used.


## 3. Results and Discussion

Figure1 illustrates the procedure for functionalization of Sh-MWCNT-COOH by isatin derivative and hydrazine. This functionalization has been chosen due to active sites of OH and carbonyl groups in Sh-MWCNT-Amide which might be used as functional materials in the future. The functionalized CNTs were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman, scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetric (DTG), and solubility test.Figure 1
Synthesis route of modified Sh-MWCNT-COOH.Elemental analyses of modified Sh-MWCNTs are shown in Table1. Apart from the carbon values, the changes of the atomic percentages H (1.09%) and N (2.86%) in Sh-MWCNT-Amide and H (1.12%) and N (3.97%) in Sh-MWCNT-Spiro (as compared to that in Sh-MWCNT-COOH) indicate that Sh-MWCNT-COOH is functionalized. On the other hand, the increase of the N percentage in Sh-MWCNT-Spiro compared to Sh-MWCNT-COOH and Sh-MWCNT-Amide confirms the formation of Spiro compound on the MWCNTs. Based on these data, coupled with the assumption that atomic percentages of nitrogen and hydrogen originate from the employed isatin derivative and hydrazine, we confirmed the functionalization of Sh-MWCNT-COOH.Table 1
Elemental analysis of modified Sh-MWCNTs.
Modified-MWCNTs
%C
%H
%N
Sh-MWCNT-COOH
96.34
0.72
0.00
Sh-MWCNT-Amide
91.93
1.09
2.86
Sh-MWCNT-Spiro
89.11
1.12
3.97Figure2 presents the FT-IR spectrum of modified Sh-MWCNTs. In Sh-MWCNT-COOH, the peak at 1575 cm−1 is assigned to C=C stretching mode of Sh-MWCNT-COOH that forms the framework of CNTs sidewall [16, 17]. The appearance of absorption peaks at 1724 (C=O) and 1150 (C–O) cm−1 in IR spectra of Sh-MWCNT-COOH clearly indicates carboxylic groups on the Sh-MWCNTs [16, 17]. The two bands at around 2800–3000 that can be seen in all spectra can be related to the C–H stretching of Sh-MWCNTs defects. In the spectrum of Sh-MWCNT-Amide, the new peaks at 1710, 1649, 1629, and 1023 cm−1 can be assigned to the C=O of creatinine, amide groups (C(=O)NH linkage), C=O, and C–OH of isatin, respectively, (as compared to 1724 cm−1 for Sh-MWCNTs-COOH), which confirmed the formation of Sh-MWCNT-Amide. In the spectra of Sh-MWCNT-Spiro, the peaks of C–OH isatin and C=O creatinine disappear, and the remarkable peak at around 1580–1600 cm−1 appeared which can be assigned to the C=N or C=C stretching mode (probably overlapped together) of imidazole ring [17, 18, 29]. Also, in the spectra of Sh-MWCNT-Amide and Sh-MWCNT-Spiro the peaks at around 3100–3500, 1450–1600, 1200–1400, and 1000–1180 cm−1 correspond to N–H or OH stretching mode, C=C nanotube and aromatic ring modes, and C–N and C–O stretching modes, respectively. Thus, FT-IR spectra confirm that Sh-MWCNT-COOH has been successfully modified by isatin derivative and Spiro compound.Figure 2
FT-IR spectra (after baseline correction) of modified-MWCNTs.The best evidence for the functionalization of MWCNTs is the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, DTG) results, which provide quantitative information on nanotube functionalization. Since Sh-MWCNT-COOH is almost thermally stable, as shown in Figure3(a), the weight loss before Sh-MWCNTs decomposition can be used to estimate the quantity of the various groups attached to the nanotube. According to Figure 3(a), the TGA graph of Sh-MWCNT-Amide exhibits one major decomposition at around 120–320°C with weight loss of about 23.41% that can be assigned to the decomposition of the attached isatin derivative to CNT (as compared with TGA curve of isatin derivative). Also, the major decompositions of Sh-MWCNT-Spiro occurred at around 140–210°C and 210–320°C with a weight loss of about 8.74% and 13.62%, respectively, which originate from the decomposition of the residual isatin derivative on the CNT surface and Spiro compound, respectively, (see also DTG curve of Sh-MWCNT-Spiro). On the basis, the fraction of carbon atoms that are functionalized with isatin derivative and Spiro compound in 320°C was calculated to be about 1.3 and 0.88 wt %, respectively. The DTG curve provides further evidence for covalent modification of MWCNTs. According to Figure 3(b), the major peak at 192°C could be attributed to the loss of the isatin derivative groups bonded to MWCNT. On the other hand, the DTG curve of Sh-MWCNT-Spiro shows two peaks at 192 and 240°C which can be assigned to the loss residual isatin derivative and Spiro compound, respectively. Overall, these results successfully confirm the functionalization of Sh-MWCNT-COOH with these compounds.TGA (a) and DTG (b) curves of modified-MWCNTs in the N2 (10°C min−1).
(a)
(b)More evidence for the functionalization of Sh-MWCNTs was obtained by FE-SEM images. In Figure4, FE-SEM images of modified Sh-MWCNTs are shown. In the SEM image of Sh-MWCNT-COOH, it seems that the uniform surfaces of nanotubes are relatively smooth. On the other hand, for the Sh-MWCNT-Amide and Sh-MWCNT-Spiro, a tubular layer of uniform organic compounds (isatin derivative and Spiro compound) is clearly present on the surface of the MWCNT (the rough part), and their diameters are slightly increased as compared to that of Sh-MWCNT-COOH. It may be due to covalently bonded isatin derivative and Spiro compound on the surface of the MWCNT as compared to that of Sh-MWCNT-COOH. These structures, Sh-MWCNT-Amide and Sh-MWCNT-Spiro, are quite different from those of the starting Sh MWCNT-COOH, as depicted in Figure 4.Figure 4
The FESEM images of modified Sh-MWCNTs. The yellow arrows in Sh-MWCNT-Amide and Sh-MWCNT-Spiro show a slight increase in thickness on the surface of tubes with respect to Sh-MWCNT-COOH.The Raman spectra of functionalized Sh-MWCNTs (Figure5) showed a slight increase of the D-band at ~1330 cm−1, which is attributed to the defects and disorder-induced peaks, relative to the G-band (~1560 cm−1), which originates from the in-plane tangential stretching mode of carbon-carbon bonds [30], (ID/IG = 1.28-1.29) compared to Sh-MWCNT-COOH (ID/IG = 1.23). These results (approximately equal 1.23 ≈ 1.28-1.29)  indicate which reactions do not affect the graphite structure of Sh-MWCNT-COOH [16–18].Figure 5
The Raman spectra of modified Sh-MWCNTs. The baseline was corrected for the luminescence background.A fair idea whether the modification on the carbon nanotubes has been achieved or not is the dispersion test. Figure6 presents a photograph of the dispersion of Sh-MWCNT-COOH and Sh-MWCNT-Spiro in DMF. As it can be seen from Figure 6, Sh-MWCNT-COOH is insoluble in DMF, while the Sh-MWCNT-Spiro can be directly dispersed in DMF homogeneously and no precipitation was found even after it was sealed for 4 months at room temperature. These results indicate which Sh-MWCNT-COOH was functionalized by Spiro compound.Figure 6
The dispersion images of Sh-MWCNT-COOH (1) and Sh-MWCNT-Spiro (2) in DMF (1 mg/7 mL) after standing for 4 month.The effect of functionalized Sh-MWCNTs on toxicity of gastric and colon cancer cell lines was investigated. The used biological data in this study revealed anticancer activity against MKN-45 and SW742. Figure7 shows images of cell culture on the modified Sh-MWCNTs and control. Also, it shows targeting cancerous cells by CNTs in both gastric and colon cells. The images of control samples related to the culture of cancerous cells on the tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) surface show the cells of well adhesion and proliferation on the TCPS surface. Figures of modified Sh-MWCNTs show the effect of the gastric and colon cancerous cells in the vicinity of the modified Sh-MWCNTs and the control sample. These show that the modified Sh-MWCNTs will diffuse into and on cancerous cells.Figure 7
The growth of MKN45 and SW742 cancer cells on the samples.Figure8 shows an MTT assay for TCPS (control), Sh-MWCNT-COOH, Sh-MWCNT-Amide, and Sh-MWCNT-Spiro on MKN-45 and SW742. The results showed high toxicity of modified MWCNTs for MKN-45 (about 63%–80%) compared to SW742 (about 65%–74%). Also, it indicates which toxicity of Sh-MWCNT-Amide in MKN-45 (79.6%) and SW742 (74%) is more than the other samples. We dictate which concentration of the samples could be considered similar (100 μg/mL). Overall, these results demonstrated that modified Sh-MWCNTs are a powerful agent for both MKN-45 and SW742, in which it leads to kill cancer cells about 72–80%.Figure 8
MTT assay for TCPS and modified MWCNTs after 48 hr.So, functionalization of these groups is very effective for the toxicity increase of MWCNTs  that can be used to conjugate with drugs of anticancer or biochemically materials.


## 4. Conclusion

We have firstly demonstrated the anticancer agents by functionalization of Sh-MWCNTs. We have designed and synthesized novel derivative of isatin, which had potential use for cellular toxicity especially cancerous cells. The reported results demonstrated the functionalization of Sh-MWCNT-COOH by isatin and Spiro derivatives. Also, our results demonstrated the high toxicity of modified Sh-MWCNTs on both gastric and colon cancer cells (72–80%).



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