Evaluation of the metal-dependent cytotoxic behaviour of coordination compounds

Abstract

The [Cu(L)Cl₂]₂ and [Pt(L)Cl₂] complexes were prepared from the simple Schiff-base ligand (E)-phenyl-N-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)methanamine (L) and respectively, CuCl₂ and cis-[PtCl₂(DMSO)₂]. DNA-interaction studies revealed that the copper complex most likely acts as a DNA cleaver whereas the platinum complex binds to the double helix. Remarkably, cell-viability experiments with HeLa, MCF7 and PC3 cells showed that [Cu(L)Cl₂]₂ is an efficient cytotoxic agent whereas [Pt(L)Cl₂] is not toxic, illustrating the crucial role played by the nature of the metal ion in the corresponding biological activity.