Synthesis and evaluation of anticancer properties of novel benzimidazole ligand and their cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes against cancer cell lines A-2780 and DU-145

[Display omitted] •Highly active anticancer candidates against to A2780 cell lines were synthesized.•Anticancer properties against DU-145 cell lines of new complexes were tested.•New Zn (II) and Co (II) complexes of benzimidazole with anticancer activity. Eighteen new cobalt(II) or zinc(II) complexes of benzimidazole bearing 1-benzyl and 2-phenyl moieties were synthesized from the reaction of appropriate benzimidazole ligands and CoCl2 or ZnCl2. Their structural characterizations were done by IR, NMR (1H, 13C) and UV–VIS spectrometers. Cytotoxic activities of eighteen new complexes and three benzimidazole ligands were determined using A-2780 (human ovarian) and DU-145 (human prostate) cell lines. Antitumor properties of all compounds were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell viability assay for the tested benzimidazole derivatives was performed and the LogIC50 values of the compounds were calculated after a 24-hour treatment. All tested benzimidazole derivatives showed higher or comparable antitumor activity against A-2780 cell lines compared to the standard drug docetaxel with a LogIC50 value of −0.81 µM (p