AUTHOR=Pantic Damnjan , Mirkovic Nikola , Vulovic Tatjana , Jovanovic Danijela , Jakovljevic Stefan , Canovic Petar , Zaric Milan , Zaric Radica Zivkovic , Kostic Marina , Dragojevic Jovana , Divac Vera , Milanovic Ziko , Milisavljevic Kristina , Mitrovic Marina , Zelen Ivanka 

TITLE=Evaluation of newly synthesized schiff base Pd(II) complexes for prostate cancer treatment through in vitro cytotoxicity and molecular mechanistic studies

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1636477

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2025.1636477

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=IntroductionPalladium (II) complexes are promising anticancer agents with potential advantages over platinum drugs. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize three new Pd(II) complexes (2a–2c) with Schiff base ligands derived from salicylic acid and amine scaffolds, and to evaluate their antitumor activity against prostate cancer cells.MethodsThe Pd(II) complexes were synthesized and structurally characterized. Cytotoxicity was tested on two human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, DU-145) and healthy fibroblasts (MRC-5). Apoptosis induction was assessed by flow cytometry, with a focus on Bcl-2 and caspase proteins. Molecular docking was used to examine binding to the androgen receptor (AR) and apoptotic regulators (CASP3, BCL2, BAX). DNA and human serum albumin (HSA) binding were also investigated.ResultsAll complexes showed significant cytotoxicity. Notably, complex 2c exhibited more potent cytotoxic activity than cisplatin in prostate cancer cell lines, with lower IC50 values after 72 h exposure in DU-145 (7.1 µM vs. 8.2 µM) and PC-3 cells (8.6 µM vs. 21.9 µM), while showing reduced toxicity in normal MRC-5 cells (42.3 µM vs. 24.4 µM). Apoptosis was confirmed as the primary cytotoxic mechanism, involving the activation of Bcl-2 and caspases. Docking studies revealed that complex 2c had the strongest binding affinity to AR and apoptotic proteins, mediated by hydrogen bonds, π–π stacking, and hydrophobic interactions. DNA and HSA binding supported their biological relevance.ConclusionComplex 2c exhibits potent anticancer activity through the induction of apoptosis and dual targeting of the AR and apoptotic pathways, making it a promising candidate for further development of anticancer drugs.