CuII Ions and the Stilbene–Chroman Hybrid with a Catechol Moiety Synergistically Induced DNA Damage, and Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of HepG2 Cells: An Interesting Acid/Base‐Promoted Prooxidant Reaction

Development of potential cancer treatment strategies by using an exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating agent (prooxidant) or redox intervention, has attracted much interest. One effective ROS generation method is to construct a prooxidant system by polyphenolic compounds and Cu(II) ions. This work demonstrates that Cu(II) and the stilbene-chroman hybrid with a catechol moiety could synergistically induce pBR322 plasmid DNA damage, as well as cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Additionally, an interesting acid/base-promoted prooxidant reaction was found. The detailed chemical mechanisms for the reaction of the hybrid with Cu(II) in acid, neutral and base solutions are proposed based on UV/Vis spectral changes and identification of the related oxidative intermediates and products.