Synthesis, characterization and anticancer studies of ferrocenyl complexes containing thiazole moiety

A ferrocenyl ligand was prepared from condensation of l,l'-diacetylferrocene with 2-amino-5-methylthiazole, to give the ligand. This ligand forms 1:1 complexes with lead(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) in good yield. Characterization of the ligand and complexes was carried out using IR, NMR, electronic absorption, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity and elemental analysis. Anticancer activity of the prepared ligand and its complexes against breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was determined. The anticancer activity of the new complexes was accompanied by significant increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, with a parallel decrease in the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione level. Accordingly, the overproduction of free radicals allowed reactive oxygen species-mediated cancer cell death. The results suggest that the complexes possess significant anticancer activity comparable to cisplatin. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.