In vitro evaluation of apoptotic effect of bis(acetylacetonato‐k2 O,O′)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐k2 N,N′)Zn(II) complex

Phenanthroline derivatives have been reported as potential bioactive compounds because of their ability to interact with DNA. To evaluate the antiproliferative effect of bis(acetylacetonate‐k2 O,O)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐k2 N,N)Zn(II) or Zn(acac)2(phen) complex, the compound was obtained in a simple manner and further characterized to determine crystal structure, thermal behavior, morphology, and spectroscopic properties. The structure of the complex was confirmed by X‐ray single structure as well as by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in dmso‐d6 (dimethyl sulfoxide) solution and in the solid state by 13C CP/MAS. Although preparation of this compound has been described previously, there are no reports on its biological activity; here, we assessed its antiproliferative effect on fibroblasts, A253, FaDu, Cal‐27, RH‐30, RD, U‐373, C6, A‐549, MDA‐MB‐231, and MCF‐7 cancer cell lines at different doses (50–100 and 150 μg/ml). The cell viability was determined by MTT assay and high activity was observed for the most of the cell lines, and TUNEL results showed the induction of apoptosis. Antiproliferative and apoptotic effect of bis(acetylacetonate‐k2 O,O)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐k2 N,N)Zn(II) or Zn(acac)2(phen) complex was determined in several cancer cell lines. Acetylacetonate and phenanthroline ligands promote selectivity toward cancer cells.