Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay
Published on: November 10, 2013
Novel binuclear and trinuclear metal (II) complexes: DNA interactions and in vitro anticancer activity through
Zhenxin Zhao1, Junshuai Zhang1, Shuangcheng Zhi1
1College of Material and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Henan 467036, China.
Abstract:
A water soluble trinuclear copper(II) complex and a binuclear cobalt(II) complex, namely Cu3(ppbm)2(SO4)3 (1) and Co2(ppbm)2(NO3)4 (2) (ppbm = 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)- 1H-benzo[d]imidazole), have been successfully synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR Spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS). The interaction of the new complexes with DNA has been explored using spectroscopy methods, indicating that the complexes 1 and 2 bind to DNA via noncovalent interactions. DNA cleavage experiment suggested that the complex 1 exhibits efficient DNA cleavage activities in the presence of ascorbate (Asc), hydrogen peroxide may serve as the major cleavage active species. The cytotoxicity assay showed that complex 1 exhibited significant inhibitory activity toward the proliferation of several tumor cell lines, with a lower IC50 value than cisplatin and complex 2, indicating that it had the potential to act as effective anticancer agent. The morphological staining assays showed that 1 apparently induced the TFK-1 cells apoptosis. Besides, cellular uptake experiment on TFK-1 cells revealed that complex 1 accumulates primarily inside the nucleus. The apoptosis was attributable to the metal-assisted generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Related Concept Videos
Apoptosis
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Bonding in Metals
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
Alkali Metals
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals

