Antimicrobial and Cytotoxicity Studies of Some Organotin(IV) N-ethyl-N-phenyl Dithiocarbamate Complexes

Organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate complexes owe their uniqueness and properties to the individual attributes of the organotin and the dithiocarbamate moieties. The synergy exhibited by these groups often results in enhanced biological activities in the hybrid molecule. This study reports the biological activities (antimicrobial and cytotoxicity) of some organotin(IV) N-ethyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate complexes presented as MeSnClL2, BuSnClL2, PhSnClL2 Me2SnL2, Bu2SnL2, and Ph2SnL2 (L = N- ethyl-N-phenyl dithiocarbamate). Their antimicrobial properties were studied against K. pneumonia, S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. cerues, A. flavus and C. albican, and the results revealed varied activity of good to moderate properties. Complex PhSnClL2 and Ph2SnL2 showed the highest activities among this group of complexes due to the presence of planar phenyl group(s) within the organotin moiety, which enhances the lipophilicity of the complexes and subsequent penetration into the organisms. The complexes were further screened for cytotoxicity using the MTT assay method against the human cervical cancer cell line ( HeLa cells). A remarkable anti-tumoral activity, especially for complex PhSnClL2 and Ph2SnL2, were observed when compared to 5-Fluorouracil (5FU). The studies showed that upon further optimization, these complexes could become a leading class of compounds that possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-tumoral activities.