Cytotoxicity and Anticancer Activity of [Cu(tet-am)](CH3COO)2.4H2O Complex Against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) Cells

Abstract

Cancer is a fatal disease characterized by aberrant cell proliferation, invasion, and spread to many body parts. Many chemotherapeutics, including metal complex cisplatin and carboplatin, have been utilized in cancer treatment throughout history. However, a lack of selectivity for cancer cells and related adverse effects with present treatment choices have fueled global attempts to find new anticancer drugs. In this study, a metallo-azamacrocyclic complex [Cu(tet-am)] (CH₃COO)₂.4H₂O has been synthesized, and its antineoplastic activity against EAC cells was measured in vivo. To identify the potent chemotherapeutic drug with minimal or no side effects, cytotoxicity, tumor cell growth inhibition, haematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. The complex showed significant antitumor efficacy against EAC cells. It inhibited cell growth by 38.1% and 70.78% at doses of 2.0mg/kg and 4.00 mg/kg i.p., respectively, compared to control EAC-bearing mice (p<0.0001). Furthermore, EAC-bearing control mice revealed significant deterioration of RBC, WBC, and hemoglobin percentage; while, in complex-treated mice, these parameters were recovered to normal levels. Toxicological studies showed that there were changes in hematological (RBC, WBC, Hb gm/dl) and biochemical (serum glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT) parameters during 10 consecutive days of treatment. However, the parameters were found to be gradually returned to normal levels after the treatment period, indicating that the complex had no adverse toxic effects on the host. The complex exhibits promising anticancer properties with minimal host toxicity. Thus, it has the potential to be developed into an effective chemotherapeutic drug; nevertheless, more preclinical and clinical research using animal and human models is required.