Cytotoxic effect of organotin(IV) benzylisopropyldithiocarbamate compounds on Chang liver cell and hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell

Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in world. New compounds are currently being synthesized to combat this disease. The organotins are gaining more attention as anti-cancer agents due to their potent cytotoxicity properties. In this study, a series of newly synthesized organotins namely dimethyltin (IV) (compound 1), dibutyltin (IV) (compound 2) and triphenyltin (IV) benzylisopropyldithiocarbamate (compound 3) were assessed for their cytotoxic activities against human Chang liver cells and hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. The cytotoxicity of these organotins in both cells upon 24 h treatment was assessed using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Compound 2 and 3 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities towards both cells where the IC50 values were less then 10 microM. The IC50 value for compound 2 was 2.5 microM in Chang liver cells and 7.0 microM in HepG2 cells whereas compound 3 exhibited an IC50 value of 1.5 microM in Chang liver cells and 2.5 microM in HepG2 cells. Therefore, compound 2 and 3 were more toxic against human Chang liver cells as compared to hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Interestingly, compound 1 did not have any IC50 value in both cells and hence can be classified as non-toxic. In conclusion, organotin (IV) benzylisopropyldithiocarbamate with insertion of dibutyl and triphenyl functional group possess potent cytotoxicity properties. Structural modification of these compounds can be carried out in further studies to produce less or non toxic effects towards normal human cell.