Ag(I) complexes containing phosphine and terpyridine ligands: in vitro cytotoxicity against a cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line

Five complexes (Ag1–Ag5) containing a terpiridine group and different phosphines were synthesized and characterized using various techniques, including molar conductivity, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and infrared absorption spectroscopy.  The cytotoxicity of these complexes was evaluated in an ovarian tumor cell line (A2780), a cisplatin-resistant ovarian tumor cell line (A2780cis), and a non-tumor lung cell line (MRC-5). The in vitro results revealed that all complexes were cytotoxic, with Ag1 exhibiting the highest selectivity index in both tumor cell lines (SI = 20.8 for A2780 and 10.8 for A2780cis). Furthermore, this complex inhibited colony formation and altered cell morphology, indicating an increase in the cell death population and, overall, a decrease in cell density compared to the control group, as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy images.