Zinc(II) halide and copper(II) bromide complexes with caffeine: structures, physicochemical properties, and biological activity

This study provides a comparative characterization of the structural parameters and cytotoxicity of zinc halide and copper(II) bromide complexes with caffeine (caf) of the composition [Zn(caf)(H2O)X2] (X = Cl, Br, I) and [Cu(caf)2Br2] (1). The cytotoxicity of the complexes is dose-dependent in all cell lines. The concentrations of the complexes, at which they are more cytotoxic against cancer cells (MCF-7) than against stem cells (DPSC), were determined. The synthesized complexes exhibited synergism of cytotoxicity.