The present article demonstrates selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells of the complexes [Co(LD)2]I2∙CH3OH (1), [CoLD(NCS)2] (2) and [VOLD(NCS)2]∙C6H5CH3 (3) containing the dipodal tridentate ligand LD = N,N-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)amine), formed in situ. All tested complexes expressed greater anticancer activities and were less toxic towards noncancerous cells than cisplatin. Cobalt complexes (1 and 2) combined high cytotoxicity with selectivity towards cancer cells and caused massive tumour cell death. The vanadium complex (3) induced apoptosis specifically in cancer cells and targeted proteins, controlling their invasive and metastatic properties. The presented experimental data and computational prediction of drug ability of coordination compounds may be helpful for designing novel and less toxic metal-based anticancer species with high specificities towards tumour cells.
Keywords: Co2+ complexes; N,N-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl-1-methyl)amine; VO2+; cancer; cytotoxicity; selectivity.