1H NMR study of the effect of cucurbit[7]uril on the aquation of carboplatin in biologically relevant media

Abstract

The aquation of carboplatin, a second-generation Pt(II)-based antitumor drug, in two biologically relevant media (PBS buffer solution and RPMI-1640 medium for cell growth) has been studied by means of ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of the macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[7]uril on the carboplatin aquation rates in these two types of media has also been studied. Although, the cucurbit[7]uril does not form stable inclusion complex with carboplatin, it greatly affects the carboplatin aquation rates, presumably, through the two mechanisms: prevention of the carboplatin dimer formation and encapsulation of some components of the medium.