Background: Cancer is a malignant disease characterized by the uncontrolled division of cells, leading to the invasion and destruction of healthy tissues. Copper(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and its derivatives have demonstrated various biological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-Candida, antimycobacterial, and antimicrobial effects. The aim of the study: To investigate the anti-proliferative effect of Cu(phen)(D-threo)NO₃+ F on the ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) and the colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29). Materials and methods: The copper compound was tested against A2780 and HT-29 cells using the MTT assay at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10, 15, and 20 µM, followed by incubation for 24, 48, and 72 hours. IC50 values were determined to assess the compound’s potency. Subsequently, apoptosis induction was evaluated by quantifying caspase-9 protein expression using a human caspase-9 ELISA kit, and DNA fragmentation activity was assessed through agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The MTT assay revealed that increasing concentrations of the copper compound led to a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability across all incubation periods for both cancer cell lines. The IC₅₀ value for A2780 cells was 1.70±0.26 µM after 72 hours, indicating greater sensitivity compared to HT-29 cells, which exhibited an IC₅₀ of 8.42±0.63 µM. Despite its cytotoxic effects, the compound did not induce apoptosis via the caspase-9 pathway, nor did it promote DNA fragmentation in either cell line, as no significant differences were observed compared to the control group in both assays. Conclusion: Cu(phen)(D-threo)NO₃ + F demonstrated a significant anti-proliferative effect on A2780 and HT-29 cancer cell lines, occurring independently of apoptotic pathways
Background: Cancer is a malignant disease characterized by the uncontrolled division of cells, leading to the invasion and destruction of healthy tissues. Copper(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and its derivatives have demonstrated various biological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-Candida, antimycobacterial, and antimicrobial effects. The aim of the study: To investigate the anti-proliferative effect of Cu(phen)(D-threo)NO₃+ F on the ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) and the colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29). Materials and methods: The copper compound was tested against A2780 and HT-29 cells using the MTT assay at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10, 15, and 20 µM, followed by incubation for 24, 48, and 72 hours. IC50 values were determined to assess the compound’s potency. Subsequently, apoptosis induction was evaluated by quantifying caspase-9 protein expression using a human caspase-9 ELISA kit, and DNA fragmentation activity was assessed through agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The MTT assay revealed that increasing concentrations of the copper compound led to a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability across all incubation periods for both cancer cell lines. The IC₅₀ value for A2780 cells was 1.70±0.26 µM after 72 hours, indicating greater sensitivity compared to HT-29 cells, which exhibited an IC₅₀ of 8.42±0.63 µM. Despite its cytotoxic effects, the compound did not induce apoptosis via the caspase-9 pathway, nor did it promote DNA fragmentation in either cell line, as no significant differences were observed compared to the control group in both assays. Conclusion: Cu(phen)(D-threo)NO₃ + F demonstrated a significant anti-proliferative effect on A2780 and HT-29 cancer cell lines, occurring independently of apoptotic pathways