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Illuminating Potential of Diphenyltin(IV) Dithiocarbamate Compounds for Pharmacological Applications: Synthesis, Structural Elucidation, In-silico and Cytotoxicity Study on A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells

Nurul Amalina Abd Aziz1, Normah Awang1*, Nurul Farahana Kamaludin1, Nur Najmi Mohamad Anuar1, Asmah Hamid1, Kok Meng Chan2

1Center for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2Product Stewardship and Toxicology, Petroliam Nasional Berhad, Level 13, Tower 1, PETRONAS Twin Towers, KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Corresponding Author E-mail: norm@ukm.edu.my

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/400309

Article Publishing History
Article Received on : 26 Feb 2024
Article Accepted on :
Article Published : 15 May 2024
Article Metrics
Article Review Details
Reviewed by: Dr. Deepak Kumar Basedia
Second Review by: Dr. Naresh Batham
Final Approval by: Dr. Malinee Sriariyanun
ABSTRACT:

The process of development and optimization of anticancer drugs entails the design, synthesis, and elucidating of a diverse range of compounds. Among these are organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate metal complexes, which offer promising potential as anti-cancer agents. Recent studies have underscored the potential of these complexes to exert encouraging anti-proliferative activities against cancer cells, which can be attributed to their distinctive molecular structures and interactions with malignant tissues. This study aimed to refine the chemical constitution of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) through the application of cutting-edge analytical methods, including elemental and spectral analysis (infrared (IR) and NMR spectroscopy). Following optimization, the bioactivity of the newly designed compounds was evaluated on A549 human lung cancer cells utilizing standardized MTT assays to bring a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship (SAR). Our results indicate that these compounds display augmented cytotoxicity vis-à-vis current platinum-based chemotherapeutics, cisplatin, thereby highlighting their potential as an innovative alternative to conventional anti-cancer therapies.

KEYWORDS:

A549 human lung cancer cells; Cytotoxicity; Organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate complexes; Spectral analysis; Structure-activity relationship (SAR)

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Aziz N. A. A, Awang N, Kamaludin N. F, Anuar N. N. M, Hamid A, Chan K. M. Illuminating Potential of Diphenyltin(IV) Dithiocarbamate Compounds for Pharmacological Applications: Synthesis, Structural Elucidation, In-silico and Cytotoxicity Study on A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells. Orient J Chem 2024;40(3).


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Aziz N. A. A, Awang N, Kamaludin N. F, Anuar N. N. M, Hamid A, Chan K. M. Illuminating Potential of Diphenyltin(IV) Dithiocarbamate Compounds for Pharmacological Applications: Synthesis, Structural Elucidation, In-silico and Cytotoxicity Study on A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells. Orient J Chem 2024;40(3). Available from: https://bit.ly/4dJzJzZ


Introduction

In 1965, Dr. Barnett Rosenberg’s discovery of cisplatin marked a breakthrough in cancer treatment, catalyzing a new era in drug development. This chance finding not only expanded the therapeutic landscape but also represented a pivotal moment in oncological research. The unique chemistry of metal complexes, characterized by redox reactivity, metal-ligand interactions, configurational arrangements, and Lewis acidity, positions them ideally to address diverse facets of cancer biology (Kumar Singh et al., 2023). For over four decades, cisplatin has been a mainstay in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), serving as a foundational therapy in this field (Bunn, 1989).

However, the evolution of cancer cells and their resistance to platinum-based treatments necessitate exploration of new strategies to combat this formidable challenge. Several factors constrain the full potential of these compounds, including issues with selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and solubility, diminishing their effectiveness as therapeutic agents (Islam et al., 2021). Additionally, these compounds are associated with various toxicities, such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, gastrotoxicity, myelosuppression, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and ototoxicity (Oun et al., 2018).

Organotin compounds, particularly organotin(IV) compounds with direct tin-carbon bonds, offer promise among non-platinum metal-based compounds due to their low cytotoxicity and lack of cellular resistance, making them appealing for therapeutic use (Banti et al., 2019).  Research into their structure-activity-relationship (SAR) highlights key factors influencing their biological potency, including the availability of coordination sites on tin atoms, ligand-tin bond strength, and degradation rates through hydrolysis, as well as their capacity to coordinate with other molecules, the type and amount of organic groups (e.g., alkyl or aryl groups) attached to the tin atom, and the nature of the ligands involved (Iqbal et al., 2017; Muhammad et al., 2022).

Of particular interest are organotin(IV) dithiocarbamates, renowned for their bioactive properties (Haezam et al., 2021) and unique stereochemical features that facilitate targeted delivery and extended residence time (Adeyemi and Onwudiwe, 2020). Synthesized tri- or diorganotin(IV) dithiocarbamates have shown heightened cytotoxicity compared to mono-organotin(IV) compounds (Abd Aziz et al., 2023), attributed to increased tin(IV) ion coordination sites (Hadjikakou and Hadjiliadis, 2009). These compounds possess robust anticancer attributes by instigating programmed cell death, or apoptosis, through diverse cellular mechanisms. They activate the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway following DNA damage, a crucial initiator of cell demise. Moreover, they impede vital cellular processes crucial for apoptosis, including cell cycle progression, resulting in arrests at different phases, such as G0/G1, S, and S-G2/M (Rasli et al., 2023; Syed Annuar et al., 2022). These findings highlight the potential therapeutic utility of organotin(IV) compounds in cancer treatment.

In light of their known anti-proliferative effects, this study examines the synthesis and potential therapeutic applications, particularly in the realm of cancer treatment, of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) (Figure 1). Employing a range of analytical methods such as FT-IR, multiple NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, the structural characteristics of these newly synthesized compounds have been thoroughly investigated.

Figure 1: The arrangement of atoms in Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)

Click here to View Figure

Materials and Methods

General

The secondary amine (N-ethylbenzylamine) and organotin(IV) chlorides were procured from Sigma Aldrich, carbon disulfide and ammonium solution (25%) were obtained from Merck, and acetone and ethanol (95%) were sourced from Systerm Chemicals. These chemicals and solvents were used without further purification, adhering to the manufacturers’ instructions. Melting points were determined using the MPA120 EZ-Melt Automated Melting Point Apparatus. Subsequently, elemental analysis was conducted using a Perkin Elmer 2400 elemental analyzer to determine the percentages of C, H, N, and S present in the resulting compound. Infrared spectra were obtained using a Bruker Vertex 70v FT-IR Spectrometer within the frequency range of 4000 to 80 cm-1. Additionally, 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR spectra were recorded using 400 MHz Bruker Avance III NMR spectrometers with CDCl3 as the solvent and tetramethylsilane as the internal standard at ambient temperature.

Synthesis of ligand (N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)

We employed an “on-site” technique called “in situ” to synthesize the ligand dithiocarbamate. Initially, 30 millimoles of secondary amines were dissolved in 50 milliliters of ethanol and gently agitated for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture comprising the secondary amine was combined with only two milliliters of ammonia solution and then stirred for another 30 minutes. By creating a basic atmosphere during this process, we facilitated the reaction’s progression while simultaneously protecting the amine molecule (Odularu and Ajibade, 2019). The subsequent procedure entailed adding 30 millimoles of carbon disulfide solution to 50 milliliters of ethanol as the solvent, followed by dissolution. Gradually, the solution was mixed and heated over 60 minutes at a temperature maintained below 4 degrees Celsius. This systematic approach led to the successful synthesis of the desired dithiocarbamate ligand.

Synthesis of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)

For the synthesis of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate), the ligand was combined with its corresponding metal salt in a precise ratio of 2:1. An exact amount of diphenyltin(IV) salt was gradually added to a solution containing dithiocarbamates, and the mixture was stirred carefully for two hours until a white solid formed. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed thoroughly with chilled ethanol three times, and then dried in a desiccator.

Cell culture

The present study utilized A549 human lung cancer cells obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA). These cells were cultured in F12K medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. Cell growth was carried out under standardized conditions within an atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide and 37°C temperature to ensure optimal cell viability and proliferation.

Comprehensive Analysis of ADMET Properties

The ADMET profile of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) was predicted using ADMETlab. We generated the SMILES strings for the individual moieties of this compound—diphenyltin(IV) and N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate. These SMILES strings were added to the database and subsequently analyzed for their ADMET properties.

Cell Viability Assay

We elucidate the anticancer potential of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) against A549 human lung cancer cells using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazo-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, as described by Mosmann (1983). The MTT assay was performed by seeding 1×104 cells/well in 100 μL F-12K medium and incubated for an overnight period in CO2 incubator. The next day, cells were subjected to varying concentrations of the test substance (compound), ranging from 0.16 μM to 5 μM, with the cisplatin treatment serving as a positive control and untreated cells acting as a negative control. Following this exposure, the plates were allowed to incubate for an additional 24 hours.

Subsequently, 20 μL of MTT was added to each well, followed by a 4-hour incubation period at 37 °C. Afterward, 180 μL of supernatant was removed, and any insoluble formazan crystals were solubilized by adding 180 μL of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The absorbance of the resulting solution was then measured at a wavelength of 570 nanometers using a Thermo Fisher Scientific Multiskan GO microplate reader.

To determine the percentage of cellular viability, we applied the following formula: Cell viability (%) = 100 x (Absorbance Compound / Absorbance Control). This information was then plotted as a function of compound concentration to illustrate the relationship between viable cell percentage and compound efficacy. Specifically, the IC50 signifies the amount required to induce a 50% decline in cell proliferation following a 24-hour exposure period. These assays were conducted in triplicate, and the means ± standard error of the mean (SEM) are reported as IC50 values (in micromolar units), which provide a quantitative measure of the compound’s anticancer potential based on its ability to impair cell viability. Lower IC50 values correspond to more pronounced cytotoxicity towards cancer cells.

Results and discussion

Preparation of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)

The compound was synthesized via an in situ method involving a two-stage chemical reaction. Specifically, we first synthesized ligand dithiocarbamates, followed by mixing them with diphenyltin(IV) in a 1:2 molecular ratio. The resulting Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) was then purified via recrystallization to yield a single crystal sample. Subsequent elemental analysis revealed the composition of the synthesized compound as shown in Table 1. Notably, our compound demonstrated remarkable resistance to both atmospheric exposure and thermal degradation, displaying a melting point within the range of 108-110.9°C.

Table 1: Data on the elemental composition and physical characterisitcs of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)

Chemical formula

Color

Yield

Found (Calculated) %

% C

% H

% N

% S

(C6H5)2Sn[S2CN(CH2CH3(C6H5)(CH2)]2

White

32 %

55.36 (55.41)

4.83

(4.94)

3.47 (4.04)

18.64

(18.49)

 

FT-IR and NMR charaterization

According to Table 2 of our study, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic characteristics of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) exhibit prominent peaks at 1480 and 996 cm-1, which correspond to the v(C∙∙∙N) & v(C∙∙∙S) stretching modes (Martini et al., 2021), respectively. Notably, these bands are found to be shifted towards higher frequencies likely as a result of the enhanced participation of the nitrogen lone pair in resonance following coordination of the N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate  ligand with the tin ion  (Onwudiwe et al., 2015). Additionally, a solitary peak observed in v(C∙∙∙S) frequencies,  it suggest that the ligand binds to the metal center in a symmetric bidentate chelating mode (Khan et al., 2008). Furthermore, vibrations at 571 and 368 cm-1 can be ascribed to the ν(Sn-C) and ν(Sn-S) vibrational modes (Haezam et al., 2021). These findings validate the successful synthesis of the organotin(IV) dithiocarbamates compound.

Table 2; FTIR analysis and physical data for the Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate).

Compound

FTIR Analysis

(C6H5)2Sn[S2CN(CH2CH3(C6H5)(CH2)]2

v(C∙∙∙N)

 v(C∙∙∙S)

v(Sn-C)

v(Sn-S)

v(N-C)

v(C-H)

1480

996

571

368

1236

3064

 

The NMR spectra of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) was carried out in a CDCl3 solution. The 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR chemical shifts of compound are given in Table 3 and 4. The 1H NMR data exhibited a signal at 5.060 ppm, which can be attributed to the shielding effect of the adjacent electronegative nitrogen atom on the methylene protons (Prakasam et al., 2007). Additionally, multiple signals were detected between 7.945 and 7.969 ppm for the phenyl group of the dithiocarbamate (Ajibade et al., 2011) , while the phenyl group of the organotin moiety displayed signals between 7.270 and 7.528 ppm (Adeyemi et al., 2022). Furthermore, triplets at 1.2384 ppm (J =7.1437 Hz) were detected in the NMR spectrum which correspond to the methyl protons of the ethyl group (Onwudiwe et al., 2016).

Table 3: 1H NMR spectrum for the Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate).

Compound

Chemical shifts, δ (ppm)

N-R”

(R” = CH3)

-NR’

(R’ = CH2)

-NR’R aromatic

 

Sn-R

(R=C6H5)

(C6H5)2Sn[S2CN(CH2CH3(C6H5)(CH2)]2

1.2384 , J=7.1437 Hz

5.060

7.946 – 7.969

 

7.270–7.528

 

The chemical shift for N13CS2 at 200.49 ppm was the most significant signal in the 13C NMR spectrum (Muthalib and Baba, 2014). This finding supports the notion that the presence of this system contributes significantly to the stabilization of complexes, ultimately resulting in reduced electron density. Additionally, the signals for 13C NMR for diphenyltin group (127-130 ppm) were also detected in the same range as reported by Adeyemi et al., (2020). Meanwhile, the 13C  NMR signals of phenyl group present in dithiocarbamates exhibit multiplets within the chemical shift range of 134.29 – 151.51 ppm. Furthermore, the methylene carbon signal of the chelating dithiocarbamate was observed at 58.17 ppm (Mohamad et al., 2016). The Sn signals revealed a hexacoordinate geometry around the tin center, as evidenced by the -495.85 ppm signal obtained through 119Sn NMR spectroscopy (Adeyemi et al., 2022).

Table 4: 13C and 119Sn NMR spectrum for the Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate).

 

 

Compound

13C, δ (ppm)

119Sn, δ (ppm)

N‒CS2

Sn‒R

(R= C6H5 )

N- CH2C6H5

N-CH2CH3

N‒CH2 C6H5

 

OTC 1

200.49

127.64–130.22

58.17

11.80

134.29,135.09, 135.77, 151.51

-495.85

 

Cytotoxic evaluation of compound

Cellular metabolic activity was measured spectrophotometrically by monitoring the transformation of MTT into formazan, with increased absorbance indicating enhanced metabolism. Table 5 represents the relative IC50 values of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) and the positive control.

Table 5: IC50 values of the Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) and cisplatin on A549 human lung cancer cells

IC50 (μM) ± S.E.M

Cisplatin

Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)

32 ± 1.53

3.9 ± 0.03

 

Our findings indicate that this compound possesses significant anticancer activity, as evidenced by its lower IC50 value compared to cisplatin, as depicted in Figure 2 and 3. Consistent with this observation, we observed a dose-dependent hampering of cell growth when exposed to increase concentrations of the novel compound. Notably, the compound displayed a pronounced decline in cell viability beginning at 3 μM, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent. Furthermore, previous research has also demonstrated the efficacy of novel diphenyltin(IV) dithiocarabamte complexes against various cell lines, including PC-3, HeLa, HT-29, and Jurkat E6.1 cells whereby these complexes exhibited substantial cytotoxic effects (Adeyemi et al., 2022; Adeyemi and Onwudiwe, 2020; Haezam et al., 2021; Kamaludin et al., 2013).

Figure 2: Effect of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) on the percentage of viability of A549 human lung cancer cells for 24 hours

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Figure 3: Effect of positive control, cisplatin on the percentage of viability of A549 human lung cancer cells for 24 hours

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* Statistically significant variance (p < 0.05) when compared to the negative control

The potency of this compound as a cytotoxic agent is likely due to the presence of a aromatic (phenyl) group in organotin complexes, which enables π-π interactions with biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids (Kadu et al., 2015). The π-π stacking interaction is a specific type of noncovalent interaction involving aromatic moieties containing π bonds. This interaction is a prerequisite in the development of drug delivery systems, particularly those bearing aromatic rings (Zhuang et al., 2019). Furthermore, Liu et al., (2017) demonstrated that these compounds are capable of intercalating into double-helix DNA structures in vitro. Given these results, it is essential to conduct thorough in vivo studies to assess both the safety and therapeutic potential of these compounds.

ADMET predicted profile

Table 6: ADMET predicted profile of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)

Model

Result of Diphenyltin(IV) (Value)

Probability

Result of N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate

(Value)

Probability

 

Physicochemical property

Molecular weight

273.98

Orally well absorbed

211.05

Orally well absorbed

Amount of hydrogen bond donors (HBD)

0

Orally well absorbed

0

Orally well absorbed

Amount of hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs)

0

Orally well absorbed

1

Orally well absorbed

 

Absorption

Lipid Bilayer solubility (logP)

3.936

Permeable, Less solubility

2.327

Permeable, High solubility

Human Intestinal Absorption (HIA)

0.017

HIA+

0.006

HIA+

F 20 %Bioavaibility

0.983

Poor Bioavaibility

0.005

Excelent Bioavaibility

F 30 %Bioavaibility

0.007

Excelent Bioavaibility

0.003

Excelent Bioavaibility

Caco-2 Permeability

-4.482

Permeable

-4.543

Permeable

MDCK Permeability

4.1e-05

Permeable

1.7e-05

Permeable

P-glycoprotein substrate

0.983

Substrate

0.0

Non-Substrate

P-glycoprotein inhibitor

0.002

Non- inhibitor

0.001

Non- inhibitor

 

Distribution

Blood-brain barrier Penetration

0.991

BBB-

0.842

BBB-

 

Metabolisom

CYP1A2 inhibitor

0.911

Inhibitor

0.885

Inhibitor

CYP1A2 substrate

0.7

Substrate

0.482

Non-substrate

CYP2C19 inhibitor

0.403

Non-inhibitor

0.948

Inhibitor

CYP2C19 substrate

0.461

Non-substrate

0.355

Non-substrate

CYP2C9 inhibitor

0.061

Non-inhibitor

0.724

Inhibitor

CYP2C9 substrate

0.058

Non-substrate

0.173

Non-substrate

CYP2D6 inhibitor

0.506

Inhibitor

0.208

Non-inhibitor

CYP2D6 substrate

0.226

Non-substrate

0.476

Non-substrate

CYP3A4 inhibitor

0.016

Non-inhibitor

0.126

Non-inhibitor

CYP3A4 substrate

0.431

Non-substrate

0.334

Non-substrate

 

Toxicity

AMES toxicity

0.163

Non-Ames Toxicity

0.042

Non-Ames Toxicity

Skin sensitization

0.884

Skin sensitizer

0.824

Skin sensitizer

Drug induced liver injury (DILI)

0.765

DILI

0.697

DILI

 

Using advanced computational tools like ADMETlab, we successfully predictive modelled the pharmacokinetics of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) (Table 6). Through examination of the distributions of various physicochemical properties of commercially available drugs, such as molecular weight, hydrophobicity, and polarity, it became evident that Ph2Sn displays a substantial likelihood of being classified as a drug candidate, with implications for oral absorption. These findings were further corroborated by applying The Rule of Five, a well-established filtering mechanism for assessing the oral bioavailability of drugs, which entails restricting molecular weight to ≤ 500 g/mol, limiting logP to ≤ 5, capping HBDs at ≤ 5, and imposing a maximum of ≤ 10 HBAs (Guan et al., 2019).

The transport of drugs across cellular membranes is not solely dependent on their chemical properties, but also on their lipophilicity – a property that significantly influences the transfer of substances within various settings, including the delivery of bioactive compounds (Chmiel et al., 2019). Lipophilicity, also known as LogP, measure the balance between the concentrations of a compound in both oil and liquid phases at equilibrium (Chandrasekaran et al., 2018). According to Waring (2010), compounds with lower logP values (<3) were more likely to be soluble in 50% of cases, while compounds with high logP values (> than 3) showed only about 1% of significant solubility. In this study, each constituent of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) exhibit the capacity to traverse lipid membranes (logP 5). However, the ligands present in these complexes may play a pivotal role in determining their overall lipophilicity, as they tend to be more soluble (logP <3). This observation supporting previous studies that ligand significantly influence the lipophilicity and stability of metal complexes (Galanski et al., 2005).

Although lipophilicity has been identified as a key determinant of drug uptake and metabolism, but it may also contribute to off-target binding or promiscuity, thereby increasing the likelihood of adverse effects (Stephens et al., 2014). Previous studies have underscored the significance of drug lipid solubility (lipophilicity) as a possible predictor of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Research by Chen et al., (2013) have revealed that combing high daily doses (≥100 mg) with high lipophilicity (LogP ≥ 3) is linked to an elevated danger of DILI.

The intestinal epithelial barrier is requisite in governing the entry of substances into the systemic circulation by controlling their passage through this membrane. To elucidate the absorptive properties of compound, two established models such as Human Intestinal Absorption (HIA) and Caco-2 Caco-2 permeability measurements were employed (Guan et al., 2019). Notably, Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate) exhibited a favorable outcome in both the Caco-2 and HIA+, indicating that this compound is highly permeable across the GI epithelium. According to established criteria, a compound is deemed to possess adequate Caco-2 permeability if its predicted value exceeds 8 × 108 cm/s, while a molecule with an Intestinal Absorption rate below 30% is classified as poorly absorbed (Flores-Holguín et al., 2021).

Meanwhile, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system was predominantly involved in Phase I oxidative biotransformational processes within the body, with specific isoforms such as 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 playing crucial roles in these processes (Sychev et al., 2018). Notably, our newly developed compound exhibited no inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes across multiple classes, thereby preventing any disruptions in the metabolic processing of other drugs (Syed Annuar et al., 2022).

P-glycoprotein functions as a cellular barrier by expelling harmful substances from cells through an active transport mechanism (Flores-Holguín et al., 2021). According to computational predictions, the Ph2Sn may serve as both a substrate and non-inhibitor for P-glycoprotein, with dithiocarbamate acting as a non-substrate and non-inhibitor of this protein. This compound has been found to exhibit BBB+, indicating its potential ability to crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Most xenobiotics that enter the central nervous system (CNS) do so via passive diffusion, with greater lipid solubility leading to improved CNS penetration. However, excessively high lipophilicity can lead to increased nonspecific binding to plasma proteins. Studies have identified xenobiotics with moderate lipophilic properties (logP/logD range of 1.7 to 2.8) as having the greatest uptake into the CNS (Chmiel et al., 2019).

Conclusion

In summary, we report the successful synthesis of Ph2Sn(N-ethyl-N-benzyldithiocarbamate)  employing an insitu approach and characterisation of this compound through various spectroscopy analyses. Specifically, our findings indicate that the ligand coordinates bidentately to the tin metal center of the organotin(IV) moiety through the υ(C=S) bond, as substantiated by the singular peak in the IR spectrum. Furthermore, 119Sn NMR analysis confirmed a hexacoordinate arrangement around the Sn atom. Besides, cytotoxic screening of this compund revealed its exceptionally high efficacy relative to existing drugs. This work underscores the potential of diphenyltin(IV) dithiocarbamate compound as leads in anticancer drug discovery, while also offering valuable insights into the pharmacokinetics of this compound, which can inform future developments and refinements thereof.

Funding and Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for granting us financial aid through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) with grant number FRGS/1/2021/STG04/UKM/02/5, as well as the Faculty of Health Sciences at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for their generous support of this research endeavor. Besides, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Faculty of Health Sciences at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the School of Medical and Life Sciences (SMLS) at Sunway University for providing access to their state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure. Additionally, we are grateful for the expert technical support offered by the Centre for Research and Instrumentation Management (CRIM) and the Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory at the Institute of Science (UiTM), which greatly facilitated the analysis and interpretation of data generated during the course of this investigation.

Conflicts of Interest

In this study, all participating researchers have disclosed that they do not possess any conflicting interests that could potentially influence the results or interpretation of our findings.

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