N(4)-tolyl-2-benzoylpyridine-derived thiosemicarbazones and their palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes: Cytotoxicity against human solid tumor cells

► N(4)-tolyl-thiosemicarbazones show anti-proliferative effect against A431 cells. ► Thiosemicarbazones and Pd(II) complexes are more cytotoxic than cisplatin. ► A Pd(II) complex with thiosemicarbazone presented pro-apoptotic effect on A431 cells.