Pasahan, AzizTaskin, Irmak IcenGurses, CanbolatSever, Meryem RuveydaKarabiyik, HandeKarabiyik, HasanGok, Yetkin2026-04-042026-04-0420262365-6549https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202505574https://hdl.handle.net/11616/109932In this study, we report the synthesis and anticancer activities of new ruthenium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, which are of great significance for drug delivery research. For this reason, 4-methylsulfonylbenzyl-substituted benzimidazole-functionalized Ru(II)NHC complexes were synthesized in our research. The characterization of these new complexes were performed using appropriate spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FT-IR) and elemental analysis techniques. The crystal structure of complex 1c was obtained using single crystal X-ray diffraction. MTT method was used to understand in vitro anticancer activities of the complexes against MCF-7 (breast cancer), HCT-116 (colon cancer), SH-SY5Y (brain cancer), and HeLa (cervical cancer) cell lines. Based on the IC50 values determined by MTT assay, the most effective complex was identified as 1 h. DNA binding analyses were carried out using agarose gel electrophoresis, revealing that 1 h weakly interacted with DNA. Additionally, the effects of 1 h on cell cycle progression and apoptosis in the SH-SY5Y cell line were examined using flow cytometry. The results indicated that 1 h induced G0/G1 phase accumulation and increased apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that the synthesized complex 1 h has a significant anticancer potential.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessanticancer activityDNA bindingN-heterocyclic carbeneRu-NHC complexesX-ray diffractionArticle11510.1002/slct.2025055742-s2.0-105028957434N/AWOS:001703775400001Q3