Evaluation of the antiproliferative effect of enantiomers of carvone in association with silver complexes in skin cancer cell lines

Skin cancer is a major global concern, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma (CM) as prevalent subtypes [ 1 ]. Conventional drugs like cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) face efficacy and penetration challenges, highlighting the need for new therapies [ 2 ]. Monoterpenes such as carvone may improve transdermal drug delivery [ 3 ]. The combination of silver complexes with bioactive ligands derived from sulfonamides (Ag-1) and nucleobases (Ag-2) with carvone offers a promising strategy, uniting the anticancer effects of metallodrugs with improved skin permeability for topical treatment [ 3 ]. Our study evaluated the in vitro antiproliferative effects of silver complexes [ 4 ] [ 5 ] and the enantiomers of carvone, isolated and in association. Results were expressed as concentration required to elicit 50% of cell growth inhibiton (GI50) and as combination index reduction (CRI). After 48h-exposure, the Ag-1 and Ag-2 complexes exhibited antiproliferative activity, with GI50400 μM). Synergistic effects (CRI