In vitro cytotoxic activities of new silver and PEPPSI palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes derived from benzimidazolium salts

• New benzimidazolium salts and their Ag- and Pd-NHC complexes were designed, synthesized and structurally characterized.
• All the synthesized compounds were tested in DLD-1, MDA-MB-231 and HEK 293T cell lines.
• Silver complex 4 showed low IC50 values for these cell lines.
• The Pd-NHC complexes did not exhibit cytotoxic activity.

New benzimidazolium salts (2, 3) and their silver (4, 5) and palladium (6, 7) N-heterocyclic carbene (Ag- and Pd-NHC) complexes were designed, synthesized and structurally characterized by NMR (1H and 13C), IR, HRMS and UV–Vis spectroscopic methods. All the synthesized compounds were tested in human colon cancer (DLD-1), breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and embryonic kidney (HEK 293T) (non-cancerous) cell lines for in vitro cytotoxicity. Compound 4 specifically showed low IC50 values for these cell lines (IC50 values 12.41 ± 2.89, 11.98 ± 2.52 and 4.21 ± 1.74 μmol/L in DLD-1, MDA-MB-231 and HEK 293T cell lines, respectively). The Pd-NHC complexes (6, 7) did not exhibit cytotoxic activity (IC50 values >200 in DLD-1, MDA-MB-231, HEK 293T cell lines). Therefore, Ag-NHC complexes can be further investigated as potential anticancer agents.

New benzimidazolium salts and their silver and palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were designed, synthesized and structurally characterized by NMR, IR, HRMS and UV–Vis spectroscopic methods. All the synthesized compounds were tested in human colon cancer, breast cancer and embryonic kidney cell lines for in vitro cytotoxicity. Compound 4 specifically showed low IC50 values for these cell lines. Therefore, Ag-NHC complexes can be further investigated as potential anticancer agents.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide