In vitro biological activity of cobalt(II) complexes with salicylaldimine ligands in microbial and cancer cells

Abstract

Background: More studies using cobalt complexes as drugs are needed. Results: The drug action of two cobalt salicylaldimines was determined. The complexes and amphotericin B (20 mg/ml) inhibited Candida albicans at 9–15 and 21 mm. This concentration of both ligands inhibited Staphylococcus aureus at 10 mm and one ligand inhibited Escherichia coli at 9 mm, but the complexes and ampicillin inhibited four bacteria at 9–20 and 21–26 mm. The ligands were inactive against cancer and normal cells, but the complexes and doxorubicin provided IC50 values of 28.18–54.19 and 9.66 μM against MCF-7 cells and 15.76–20.49 and 36.42 μM against BHK cells. Conclusion: The ligands' activity was much improved by complexation, although they remained substandard.