Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of the first trans-palladium(II) complex with naturally occurring alkaloid harmine

Treatment of trans-[Pd(DMSO)(2)Cl-2] with naturally occurring alkaloid harmine, in a 1:1 molar ratio in DMSO, leads to the formation of trans-[Pd(DMSO)(harmine)Cl-2]. The latter was isolated from DMSO solution by addition of 0.05 M HCl solution. The complex has been characterized physicochemically and spectroscopically. It was tested for its cytotoxicity against P388, L-1210 and K-562 cell lines, and showed promising activity, as a first trans-palladium(II) complex, when compared with the reference standards cisplatin, carboplatin and 5-fluororuracil (5-FU). (C) Elsevier, Paris.