Cationic Pd(II) complexes acting as topoisomerase II inhibitors: Synthesis, characterization, DNA interaction and cytotoxicity

•Cationic palladium compounds were prepared bearing thiosemicarbazide and triphenylphosphine.•The compounds were more cytotoxic than cisplatin against LM3 and MCF-7 tumor cells.•The complexes interact with topoisomerase II more efficiently than etoposide.•Cathepsin B activity is inhibited by Pd(II) compounds.

Graphical abstractThe synthesis and characterization of the complexes [PdX(PPh3)(4-MeT)]X (4-MeT = 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide; PPh3 = triphenylphosphine; X = Cl, Br, I, SCN) have been described. The complexes were evaluated for in vitro activity as cytotoxic agents on tumor cells and also as cathepsin B and topoisomerase I and II inhibitors.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide