Synthesis and characterisation of silver(I) benzyldiphenylphosphine complexes: Towards the biological evaluation on SNO cells

Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide, due to the lack of effective anticancer agents, and the agents leading to side-effects. It is therefore crucial to find an anticancer agent which is effective enough to destroy the cancer cells without causing side-effects. Silver(I) complexes have the potential to be applied as effective anticancer agents, due to their excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Silver(I) benzyldiphenylphosphine complexes were synthesised and characterised by means of NMR, FTIR as well as single crystal X-ray diffractometry (SXRD). The crystal structure revealed a trigonal planar geometry, which is rarely seen in silver chemistry. In addition, the anticancer activity of these complexes was evaluated against a malignant SNO (oesophageal) cancer cell line. The viability of the cells after treatment with the complexes were determined using an alamarBlue® viability assay. The possible mode of cell death, being apoptosis, necrosis or both, was determined by studying the treated cells under a microscope. A significant decrease in the viability of the cells after 24 h treatment with the complexes was observed. The morphological studies revealed that apoptosis could be a possible mode of cell death, however some necrosis was observed. Silver(I) benzyldiphenylphosphine complexes shows potential as effective anticancer agents.