Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Assessment Induced by Organotin(IV) N-methylbenzyl dithiocarbamate Compounds Against Human Lung Carcinoma Cell Lines (A549)
Cisplatin, a common cancer treatment agent, has been reported to impart significant side effects on patients. In recent years, organotin(IV) compounds have gained attention as potential anticancer agents due to their enhanced efficacy, less toxicity, and better excretion from the body. This study aims to assess cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by dibutyltin(IV) N-methylbenzyl dithiocarbamate (Compound 1) and triphenyltin(IV) N-methylbenzyl dithiocarbamate (Compound 2) in A549 cells. Human lung cancer cells (A549) were maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) containing L-glutamine, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), penicillin/streptomycin, and fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37°C with 5% CO2. The cells were then treated with their respective IC50 values, and their morphological changes were observed using an inverted light microscope at a 40× magnification. The cell death mechanism induced by the novel compound was evaluated using the Annexin V-FITC/PI assay to distinguish between apoptosis and necrosis. Additionally, genotoxicity induced by compound 2 was assessed using the alkaline comet assay. Both compounds exhibit significant cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with low IC50 values (2.22 µM for Compound 1 and 0.57 µM for Compound 2). Treatment of cells with these compounds resulted in morphological changes resembling apoptotic features, such as cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and the formation of apoptotic bodies. Furthermore, the study showed that Compound 2 induced DNA damage as early as 30 minutes after treatment. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate compounds have a strong cytotoxic effect on A549 cells. While further research, such as determining the characteristics of DNA-binding induced by organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate compounds against A549 cells, is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action of these compounds, these findings suggest that they may be a promising new class of anticancer drugs.