Apoptotic cell death of stomach cancer lines (AGS) induced by Co-NTB complex through cellular organelles and DNA damage

Given that stomach cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, there is a need to develop new drugs. Among various methods, metal-based coordination compounds are considered as an efficient strategy against this type of cancer. Similarly, the benzimidazole moiety plays a crucial role in biology; thus, various benzimidazole-based compounds have been found to be active as potential anticancer drugs and are currently used in clinical trials. In this study, we explored the benzimidazole-based cobalt(ii) complex as an anticancer agent against AGS stomach cancer cell lines. Interestingly, the MTT assay of the Co-NTB complex shows a lower IC₅₀ value of 4.25 μg mL^-1 compared to cisplatin, which has an IC₅₀ of 7.5 μg mL^-1 against AGS cell lines. Light microscopy and Hoechst/propidium iodide dye staining clearly indicate that the complex damages DNA, leading to cell death through an apoptotic pathway. The apoptotic cell death pathway was further complemented by Lysotracker and Mitotracker staining, as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. Overall, the Co-NTB complex acts as an effective anticancer agent against AGS stomach cancer cell lines, with apoptotic cell death induced by targeting cellular organelles and DNA.