Cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, pro-oxidant, and non-genotoxic activities of a novel copper(II) complex against human cervical cancer

•LQM402 is cytotoxic against the cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and Ca Ski.•LQM402 points to induce apoptotic cell death in HeLa cells.•LQM402 is not mutagenic in Ames test and micronucleus assays.•LQM402 is both inductor and inhibitor of lipid peroxidation.

Cisplatin remains one of the most effective current chemotherapeutic agents; however, metal complexes synthesis has increased in order to produce new anti-neoplastic drugs with DNA binding and apoptotic activities in tumor cells and less toxicity for patients. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic activity of a novel copper(II) complex (LQM402) against cervical cancer cell lines and found that LQM402 exhibited selective cytotoxicity against HeLa and Ca Ski cells. FITC-annexin assay and DNA fragmentation indicated that apoptosis could be involved in HeLa cell death. Caspase 3/7 and cytochrome c analysis by immunoblotting suggest the intrinsic pathway. LQM402 is a lipid peroxidation inductor according to TBARS production. Additionally, the Ames and micronucleus tests demonstrated non-genotoxic activity for this compound in Salmonella typhimurium and CD1 mice, respectively. Therefore, LQM402 may be a promising and safe anti-cervical cancer compound.

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