Synthesis and characterization of kaempferol-based ruthenium (II) complex: A facile approach for superior anticancer application

In this study, we synthesized a novel metal flavonoid complex and investigated its effects on the non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, A549 and toxicity on the human dermal fibroblast cell lines, HDFa. 1H, 13C NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental micro analysis (C,H,N,S/O) were used to characterize the synthesized kaempferol-based Ru (II) complex. Cell toxicity was studied using MTT assay and electric cell substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). It was evident from the MTT results that no significant cytotoxicity in HDFa cells occurs with the synthesized complex, but in case of A549 cells, significant cytotoxicity was observed even at low concentrations (10-20 μm). In addition, the effect of the newly synthesized complex on the A549 cell line was studied by investigating the cellular damage via atomic force microscopy and DNA fragmentation assay. The obtained results revealed that the synthesized complex was able to inhibit the cancer cells and have shown moderate anticancer activity against A549 cancer cell lines. In addition, it was evident that the complex was more active than kaempferol and well tolerated by normal cell lines.