The genotoxic effects of organometallic tin(II) and tin(IV) complexes namely LOEtSnCl (5), L*OEtSnCl (6), LOEtSnPh3 (7), L*OEtSnPh3 (8), incorporating the oxygen tripodal ligands [(η5-C5R5)Co{P(OEt)2O}3]-, {R = H, (LOEt-) (3); R = Me (L*OEt-) (4)} (Klaui type ligands), were investigated using the Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes cultures. For comparison the precursors NaLOEt (3), NaL*OEt (4), SnCl2•2H2O (1) and Ph3SnCl (2), were also studied.
Statistically significant differences in comparison with the control in the micronuclei frequencies were seen at the concentrations: 75 μM for complex (5), 50 μM for complex (6), 20, 50, 75 μM for complex (8). No statistically significant differences were observed between controls and all the rest tested concentrations for all chemicals examined.
The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by the Cytokinesis Block Proliferation Index. Regarding this index, the precursor (1) is not cytotoxic at all tested concentrations. Complexes (3), (4) and (5) induced cytotoxicity at the concentrations of 20, 50 and 75 μM, while complexes (6) and (8) were cytotoxic at all tested concentrations. Complex (7) was cytotoxic at 5, 10 and 20 μM but extremely toxic at 50 and 75 μM. Finally complex (2) was extremely toxic at all tested concentrations except at 1 μM.