Ruthenium methylimidazole complexes induced apoptosis in lung cancer A549 cells through intrinsic mitochondrial pathway

► Report two novel Ru(II) complexes' synthesis and characterization for the first time. ► Clarify the inhibitory effect of the series of RMCs in vitro experiment. ► RMC1 inhibits A549 cells through induction of apoptotic cell death. ► RMC1 shows obviously the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential in A549. ► RMC1 could induce A549 on both mitochondrial and death receptor apoptotic pathways.