Palladium (II) complexes as inhibitors of cathepsin B and topoisomerase I beta: Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity

•Synthesis and thorough characterization of novel palladium(II) complexes.•Complexes exhibit remarkably high cytotoxicity, surpassing the activity of cisplatin by more than 300 times.•Interaction assays with biomolecules DNA, HSA, topoisomerase, and cathepsin B.•Complexes have shown the ability to inhibit the action of topoisomerase IB and cathepsin B enzymes.