Potential application of two cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes in cancer chemotherapy: Leads from a study using breast and lung cancer cells

Cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes are of attraction in the context of their potential application in cancer therapy. The aim of this study has been to find the mechanism of action of cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes 1 and 2, the synthesis and characterization of which have already been reported, in inhibiting growth of human breast cancer cell MCF-7 and lung cancer cell A549. The already proclaimed anti-proliferative effect of the cobalt complexes was ascertained using MTT cytotoxicity assay. More assays such as Acridine orange & Ethidium bromide staining, AnnexinV-Cy3 staining, Hoechst staining, comet assay, and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) assay- all supported the cytotoxic property of the complexes. Moreover, the expression levels of mRNA of pro- and antiapoptotic genes also supported the effectiveness of cobalt complexes by modifying the ratio of Bax: Bcl-2. In addition, the cobalt complexes induced apoptosis in MCF- 7 and A549 cells through modulation of pro-apoptotic, anti-apoptotic, and ROS modulatory gene expressions. The present study validates the scientific evidence for antiproliferative efficacy of cobalt complexes against MCF-7 and A549 cells. Thus, this study takes cobalt complexes 1 and 2 to a step higher towards their use as anticancer agents. [Display omitted] •MTT cytotoxicity assay ascertained the anti-proliferative effect of the Cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes 1 and 2,.•More assays such as Acridine orange & Ethidium bromide, AnnexinV-Cy3, and Hoechst staining affirm cytotoxic property.•Comet and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) assay support the cytotoxic property of the complexes in MCF-7 and A549 cells.•The pro- and antiapoptotic gene expression support the effectiveness of cobalt complexes by modifying Bax: Bcl-2 ratio.•The cobalt complexes induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and A549 cells through modulation of ROS related gene expressions.