Two newly synthesized 4‐hydroxycoumarin bidentate ligands (L1 and L2) and their palladium(II) complexes (C1 and C2) were screened for their biological activities, in vitro and in vivo. Structures of new compounds were established based on elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopic techniques. The obtained compounds were tested for their antioxidative and cytotoxic activities and results pointed to selective antiradical activity of palladium(II) complexes towards •OH and -•OOH radicals and anti‐ABTS (2,2 ′‐Azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) cation radical) activity comparable to that of ascorbate. Results indicated the effect of C1 and C2 on the enzymatic activity of the antioxidative defense system. In vitro cytotoxicity assay performed on different carcinoma cell lines (HCT166, A375, and MIA PaCa‐2), and one healthy fibroblast cell line (MRC‐5) showed a cytotoxic effect of both C1 and C2, expressed as a decrease in carcinoma cells’ viability, mostly by induction of apoptosis. In vivo toxicity tests performed on zebrafish embryos indicated different effects of C1 and C2, ranging from adverse developmental effect to no toxicity, depending on tested concentration. According to docking studies, both complexes (C1 and C2) showed better inhibitory activity in comparison to other palladium(II) complexes.
The effects of salinity on in vitro growth, morphogenesis, photosynthetic rate (Pn), PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm), and chlorophyll content were investigated in Centaurium erythraea Rafn. Root growth was more adversely affected by increasing NaCl concentration than was shoot growth. High salt concentrations were effective in induction of axillary and adventitious buds on shoots, with 400 mM NaCl being the most efficient one. Values of Pn and Fv/Fm increased at moderate salt levels, but decreased when 400 mM NaCl was applied. Chlorophyll a and b contents and total chlorophyll had a decreasing trend with increasing supply of NaCl in the growth medium. .