Two Co(II) and Ni(II) coordination polymers: crystal structures and inhibitory activity on osteogenic sarcoma cells via inducing apoptosis

Solvothermal reactions of Co(OAc)2·4H2O or Ni(NO3)2·3H2O with 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzene (bmib) ligand and 1,4-terephthalic acid (H2bdc) afforded two 2-dimensional coordination polymers with the chemical formulae of [Co(bmib)(bdc)(H2O)2]n (1) and [Ni(bmib)(bdc)(H2O)2]n (2). Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of the complexes 1 and 2 was evaluated. Firstly, the CCK-8 assay was performed and MG63 osteogenic sarcoma cell proliferation was determined after complexes 1 and 2 treatment. Next, the Hoechst staining was performed to detect the morphological changes of treated MG63 cells. Subsequently, the western blot was conducted and the apoptotic related protein levels were determined.