Comparison of in vitro Anticancer efficacy of o-diaminocyclohexane Schiff-base (H2L) and Pd (II) complex (PdL) on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Background: Breast cancer is prevalent in women, with high mortality rates worldwide. Males can also develop it, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases. Chemotherapy often leads to multidrug resistance, highlighting the need for more effective treatments. Schiff bases have attracted attention due to their strong coordination ability with metal ions, enhancing biological activities, including anticancer effects. Palladium (Pd(II)) chelate complexes are widely explored for their distinct anticancer properties. Aim of the study: This study investigates the in vitro anticancer properties of o-diaminocyclohexane Schiff-base (H2L) and its Pd(II) complex (PdL) against the MCF-7 cell line, focusing on cytotoxicity and selectivity. Materials and Methods: The anticancer efficacy of H2L and PdL was assessed on MCF-7 cells utilizing the MTT assay, with dose-dependent cytotoxicity measured after 48 hours. Selectivity was assessed by comparing IC50 values against normal human skin fibroblast (HSF) cells. Results: The results confirmed that these two newly synthesized compounds reduced cell viability in a way that was dependent on concentration. In particular, PdL exhibited greater cytotoxicity than H2L against MCF-7 cells, having an IC50 of 118.48 ± 6.03 µg/mL. However, its potency was approximately threefold lower than doxorubicin’s (IC50 = 38.998 ± 0.008 µg/mL), highlighting the need for further structural optimization to enhance its therapeutic potential. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of PdL and H2L as lead compounds for novel anticancer drug development. Further structural modifications and mechanistic studies are warranted to enhance selectivity and potency.