Small-molecule inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) have currently drawn much attention as promising chemotherapeutic drug candidates, and there is a need to develop more potent PARP inhibitors with improved bioavailability. Here we report a strategy to improve the cytotoxicity of PARP inhibitors by conjugation with organometallic ruthenium(II)-arene compounds. We also report a systematic study to reveal the mechanism of action of these ruthenium-PARP inhibitor conjugates. The complexes have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. The improved antiproliferative activity from the as-prepared complexes in four human cancer cell lines has indicated their potential for further development as antitumor drugs. Cellular uptake study reveals that the most active complex 3 easily entered into cells. Target validation assays show that the complexes inhibited PARP-1 slightly better than the original PARP inhibitors, that complex 3 strongly bound to DNA and inhibited transcription, and that this complex arrested the cell cycle at the G(0)/G(1) stage. This type of information could shed light on the design of the next generation of more active ruthenium-PARP inhibitor conjugates. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.