What question did this study set out to answer?

To design and synthesize new ruthenium complexes and evaluate their anticancer activities.

February 2, 2026

4‐Methylsulfonylbenzyl Substituted N ‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Ruthenium (II) Complexes: Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Anticancer Activities

APAziz PaşahanInonu University ITI. İçen TaşkınInonu University CGCanbolat GürsesInonu University

Key Points

To design and synthesize new ruthenium complexes and evaluate their anticancer activities.
Synthesis of 4-methylsulfonylbenzyl-substituted benzimidazole Ru(II)NHC complexes
Characterization using NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction
In vitro anticancer activities tested on MCF-7, HCT-116, SH-SY5Y, and HeLa cell lines via MTT assay
DNA binding analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis
Effects on cell cycle and apoptosis assessed using flow cytometry.
Complex 1h exhibited the highest anticancer activity with specific IC50 values across tested cell lines.
Complex 1h weakly interacted with DNA according to gel electrophoresis.
1h induced G0/G1 phase accumulation and increased apoptosis in the SH-SY5Y cell line.

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, we report the synthesis and anticancer activities of new ruthenium complexes with N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, which are of great significance for drug delivery research. For this reason, 4‐methylsulfonylbenzyl‐substituted benzimidazole‐functionalized Ru(II)NHC complexes were synthesized in our research. The characterization of these new complexes were performed using appropriate spectroscopic methods ( 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, and FT‐IR) and elemental analysis techniques. The crystal structure of complex 1c was obtained using single crystal X‐ray diffraction. MTT method was used to understand in vitro anticancer activities of the complexes against MCF‐7 (breast cancer), HCT‐116 (colon cancer), SH‐SY5Y (brain cancer), and HeLa (cervical cancer) cell lines. Based on the IC 50 values determined by MTT assay, the most effective complex was identified as 1 h . DNA binding analyses were carried out using agarose gel electrophoresis, revealing that 1 h weakly interacted with DNA. Additionally, the effects of 1 h on cell cycle progression and apoptosis in the SH‐SY5Y cell line were examined using flow cytometry. The results indicated that 1 h induced G0/G1 phase accumulation and increased apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that the synthesized complex 1 h has a significant anticancer potential.

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