Evaluation of the metal-dependent cytotoxic behaviour of coordination compounds

The [Cu(L)Cl 2 ] 2 and [Pt(L)Cl 2 ] complexes were prepared from the simple Schiff-base ligand ( E )-phenyl- N -((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)methanamine ( L ) and respectively, CuCl 2 and cis -[PtCl 2 (DMSO) 2 ]. DNA-interaction studies revealed that the copper complex most likely acts as a DNA cleaver whereas the platinum complex binds to the double helix. Remarkably, cell-viability experiments with HeLa, MCF7 and PC3 cells showed that [Cu(L)Cl 2 ] 2 is an efficient cytotoxic agent whereas [Pt(L)Cl 2 ] is not toxic, illustrating the crucial role played by the nature of the metal ion in the corresponding biological activity. The [Cu(L)Cl 2 ] 2 and [Pt(L)Cl 2 ] complexes were prepared from the simple Schiff-base ligand ( E )-phenyl- N -((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)methanamine ( L ) and respectively, CuCl 2 and cis -[PtCl 2 (DMSO) 2 ].