Cytotoxic activity of four series of coordinated complexes of Zn(II) and Fe(II) with hydrazone/hydrazide ligands against HeLa and B16 cells was evaluated. The ligands N',N'(2)-bis [(1E)-1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]ethanedihydrazide (H(2)L1) and N,N'(2)-bis[(1E)-1-(2-pyridyl) ethylidene]propanedihydrazide (H(2)L2) and their Zn(II) complexes showed IC50 values in the low micromolar range, while the other ligands and complexes were less active or inactive.