Ferrocene incorporated PAMAM dendrons: synthesis, characterization, and anti-cancer activity against AGS cell line

Novel series of asymmetric Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrons containing a single ferrocene unit located as the focal point has been prepared. First, second, and third generation ferrocene-PAMAM dendrons with branched amine periphery and focal ferrocene functionality were synthesized via divergent pathways. The synthesized dendrons were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. Real-time cell analysis, cell viability, and anti-cancer activity of ferrocene-PAMAM dendrons were evaluated in AGS cells. While cell viability decreased, anti-cancer activity increased gradually in a dose-dependent manner in one, two, and three generations.