One-pot synthesis,characterization, DNA binding and enzymatic studies of 4-methyl trans-cinnamate zinc(II)-mixed ligand complexes

Four new zinc(II) complexes formulated as [Zn(L)₂] (1), [Zn(L)₂(phen)] (2), [Zn(L)₂(bipy)H₂O] (3), and [Zn(en)₂(H₂O)₂](L)₂(H₂O)₂ (4), where HL = 4-methyl trans-cinnamic acid, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and en = ethylenediamine, have been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. Single-crystal XRD revealed distorted square-pyramidal structure for 3 and octahedral for 4. The complexes were screened for DNA interaction via viscommetry and UV–visible spectroscopy. The apparent binding constants were calculated to be 1.18 × 10⁴, 1.26 × 10⁵, 4.64 × 10⁴_, and 1.89 × 10⁴ for 1–4, respectively. The binding propensity to salmon sperm DNA was in the order: K₂ > K₃ > K₄ > K₁. Furthermore, these complexes demonstrated efficient inhibition of alkaline phosphatase, which was attributed to the binding of zinc(II) to the enzyme’s active site.     

New salen-type manganese(III) Schiff base complexes derived from meso-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylenediamine: In vitro anticancer activity,mechanism of action,and molecular docking studies

Four new manganese(III) Schiff base complexes (1–4) were synthesized and characterized. The complexes have general formula [MnClL^x] in which L represents a Schiff base ligand derived from condensation of meso-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylenediamine with salicylaldehyde or its 3-OMe-, 5-Br-, or 5-OMe-derivatives (x = 1–4, respectively). The crystal structure of [MnClL¹] (1) was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The in vitro anticancer activity of these complexes was evaluated by MTT and apoptosis assays against human breast (MCF-7) and liver (Hep G2) cancer cells. The complexes exhibited considerable antiproliferative activity against both cell lines (IC₅₀ = 10.8–21.02 μM) comparable to cis-platin, except 4 (MCF-7). The highest activity was found for 1 with IC₅₀ values of 13.62 μM (MCF-7) and 10.8 μM (Hep G2). Flow cytometry experiments showed that 1 induced apoptosis on MCF-7 tumor cell line. Docking simulations using AUTODOCK were also carried out. The results showed that all complexes fitted into the minor groove region of DNA.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding and cleavage activity of homoleptic zinc(II) β-oxodithioester chelate complexes

New homoleptic zinc(II) complexes, [Zn(L)₂], where L = methyl-3-hydroxy-(3-pyridyl)-2-propenedithioate L1 1, and methyl-3-hydroxy-(4-pyridyl)-2-propenedithioate L2 2, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental (C, H, and N) analysis, ESI-MS, and (IR, UV–vis, NMR) spectroscopy; the structure of 1 has been deduced by X-ray crystallography. The DNA binding and cleavage activity of the complexes have been studied. The cleavage potential of pBR322 DNA by 1 and 2 has been checked. Complex 1, which contains nitrogen of the pyridine group in the 3-position enhances DNA cleavage potential in the presence of ascorbic acid; however, the complex is protective against DNA cleavage in the presence of DMSO or H₂O₂. Also, 1 causes cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The efficient cytotoxic activity and DNA cleavage ability of 1 in the presence of ascorbic acid shows its potential anticancer properties and the need for further investigations of its potential as an anticancer drug.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure,and DNA binding of two copper(II)–hydrazone complexes

Two new Cu(II)–hydrazone complexes, [Cu(L)(Hbpe)ClO₄]·ClO₄·[Cu(L)Cl] (1) and [Cu(HL)₂]·1.5ClO₄·0.5OH (2) (where HL?=?(E)-N′-(1-(pyridine-2-yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide and bpe = trans-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene), have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. The structures of the complexes have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction direct methods, which reveal that the metal ions have distorted square-pyramidal and square-planar geometries in 1, and a distorted octahedral geometry in 2. DNA binding of HL, 1, and 2, performed by UV–vis titration in tris-buffer medium, yielded binding constants, which are 9.5 × 10³, 1.88 × 10⁴, and 4.66 × 10⁴ M^?1, respectively. Viscosity measurements suggest a surface or groove-binding mode of interaction between CT-DNA with HL, 1, and 2.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,theoretical, antimicrobial,DNA interaction and in vitro anticancer studies of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with pyrimidine-morpholine based Schiff base ligand

Novel Cu(II) (1) and Zn(II) (2) complexes with 4-(1-(4-morpholinophenyl)ethylideneamino)pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile) (L) have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. DFT (density functional theory) studies result confirms that, LMCT mechanism have been done between L and M(II) ions. The antimicrobial studies indicate that the ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 exhibit higher activity against the E. coli bacteria and C. albicans fungi. The groove binding mode of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 with CT-DNA have been confirmed by electronic absorption, competitive binding, viscometric and cyclic voltammetric studies. The electronic absorption titration of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 with DNA have been carried out in different buffer solutions (pH 4.0, 7.0 & 10.0). The K_b values of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 are higher in acidic buffer at pH 4.0 (K_b = 2.42 × 10⁵, L; 2.8 × 10⁵, 1; 2.65 × 10⁵, 2) and the results revealed that, the interaction of synthesized compounds with DNA were higher in the acidic medium than basic and neutral medium. Furthermore, CT-DNA cleavage studies of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 have been studied. The in vitro anticancer activities results show that complexes 1 & 2 have moderate cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and low toxicity on normal cell line than ligand L.     

Improving activity of anticancer oxalipalladium analog by the modification of oxalate group with isopentylglycine

In this article, we describe the influence of structure on biological behavior of amino acid-Pd complex and compare it with oxalipalladium. A new water-soluble oxalipalladium analog with formula of [Pd(DACH)(isopentylgly)](NO₃), where DACH is 1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. The interactions of oxalipalladium and its amino acid derivative with highly polymerized calf-thymus DNA have been extensively studied by spectroscopic methods. The high binding constants of oxalipalladium (0.38 × 10⁴ M^?1) and new amino acid-Pd complex (0.65 × 10⁴ M^?1) were determined using absorption measurements. Also circular dichroism (CD) studies show that Pd complex causes more disturbances on DNA structure rather than oxalipalladium. The experimental results proposed that [Pd(DACH)(isopentylgly)](NO₃) is bound to DNA by groove-binding mode as well as partially covalent interaction, while oxalate analog binds covalently to DNA after hydrolysis. Interaction of the two metal derivative complexes was studied by molecular docking simulation. The results showed that amino acid-Pd complex has higher negative docking energy and higher tendency for interaction with DNA, and exert more structural change on DNA. Finally, the anticancer and growth inhibitory activities of synthesized complexes were investigated against human colon cancer cell line of HCT116 after 24 h incubation time using MTT assay. Results show that the complex [Pd(DACH)(isopentylgly)](NO₃) showed enhanced anticancer and growth inhibitory activities against human colon can cell line HCT116.     

Synthesis,structure, DNA binding studies and nuclease activities of two luminescent neodymium complexes

Two neodymium(III) complexes, [Nd(Phen)(NO₃)₃(DMF)₂] (1) and [Nd(Phen)₂(NO₃)₃] (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; DMF = dimethylformamide), have been synthesized with a view to design artificial luminescent nucleases and nuclease mimics. The complexes were characterized by spectroscopic, powder, and single crystal XRD studies. The complexes, as expected, have luminescent properties. The DNA binding studies of both complexes have been carried out by spectroscopic studies e.g. electronic absorption (UV–Vis), fluorescence emission as well as viscosity measurements. The nuclease activity of the complexes has been established by gel electrophoresis using pUC19 circular plasmid DNA. The results of DNA binding as well as DNA cleavage activity and the model studies of interaction with pNPP indicate that both neodymium complexes demonstrate nuclease activity through phosphoester bond cleavage.     

Synthesis,characterization and DNA nuclease activity of oxo-peroxomolybdenum(VI) complexes

The synthesis and structural characterization of two oxo-peroxo molybdenum(VI) complexes, [Mo(O)(O)₂(PAA)]^? (1) and [Mo(O)(O)₂(PAH)]^? (2), with phenylacetic acid (PAA) and 2-phenylacetylhydroxamic acid (PAHH) ligands have been accomplished. The coordination geometry of the oxo-peroxo molybdenum(VI) complexes is found to be pentagonal bipyramidal where, in both cases, the ligands are coordinated in bidentate fashion through oxygen atoms. The binding affinities of 1 and 2 with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) are determined using absorption spectroscopic measurements. The spectroscopic as well as cyclic voltammetric (CV) studies and viscosity measurements indicate that both complexes interact with CT DNA in the groove. The intrinsic binding constants are 5.2 × 10⁴ M^?1 and 7.3 × 10⁴ M^?1 for 1 and 2, respectively, from UV–vis studies. Complexes 1 and 2 show nuclease activity with plasmid DNA in the presence of H₂O₂. Concentration-dependent nuclease study suggests that 2 possesses higher ability to cleave plasmid DNA compared to 1. The experimental results of the binding of 1 and 2 with DNA are further supported by molecular docking studies.     

DNA cleavage activities of two dinuclear copper coordination polymers

The DNA cleavage activities of two coordination polymers of Robson-type macrocycles, {[Cu₄L¹(4,4′-bipy)₂](ClO₄)₄·H₂O}_∞ (1) and {[Cu₄L²(4,4′-bipy)₄](ClO₄)₄·2CH₃CN·2H₂O}_∞ (2) (where H₂L¹ and H₂L² are the [2 + 2] condensation products of 1,3-diaminopropane with 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and 2,6-diformyl-4-fluorophenol, respectively), have been studied. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus-DNA were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, and gel electrophoresis. The binding constants of 1 and 2 are 7.2 × 10⁴ and 2.1 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively. The complexes exhibit DNA cleavage activity, with the cleavage process involving oxidative cleavage of DNA.     

New Ni(II) complexes involving symmetrical bidentate N,O-donor Schiff base ligands: synthesis at ambient temperature,crystal structures,electrochemical study,antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

A new series of Ni(II) complexes, [Ni(L¹)₂] (1), [Ni(L²)₂] (2), [Ni(L³)₂] (3), and [Ni(L⁴)₂] (4), were synthesized at ambient temperature. The bidentate Schiff base ligands HL^1?4 have been obtained by the condensation reaction of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3-methoxy-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde, and 4-methoxy-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde, respectively, with 2-methoxyethylamine. The newly synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and UV–vis spectroscopy. The crystal structures of mononuclear Ni(II) complexes 2 and 3 were determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Electrochemical properties of the complexes were investigated in acetonitrile. The antioxidant properties of the Schiff base ligands and complexes were evaluated by two in vitro tests, DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power. The compounds were screened for their in vitro anticancer potential using gastric cancer cell lines by MTT assay. All ligands and complexes showed considerable cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 0.2516–5.468 μg·mL^?1). The most promising result was achieved for complex 1 with the best IC₅₀ value of 0.2516 μg·mL^?1. It was found that the proliferation rate of MKN-45 cells decreased after treatment with the complexes in a dose-dependent way.     

Two new heteroleptic ruthenium(II) dithiocarbamates: synthesis,characterization, DFT calculation and DNA binding

Two ruthenium(II) dithiocarbamates, cis-[Ru(DMP)₂L](BF₄), where L = 4-(4-methoxy-phenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioate (1) and 4-(3-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioate (2) and DMP = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, have been synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding affinity of these metal complexes was investigated by UV–visible spectrophotometry with DNA-binding constants of 6.2 × 10⁴ M^?1 (1) and 1.2 × 10⁵ M^?1 (2) and electrostatic binding mode was confirmed by viscometric measurements. For insight into the structural differences, both complexes were studied computationally. B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of Density Functional Theory was used for the computational studies in Gaussian 09. The optimized bond lengths are in agreement with the reported values. Comparative computational studies reveal interesting transformations in bond lengths, angles, Natural Bond Orbital charges, molecular orbitals, Molecular Electro Static Potentials, and global chemical reactivity indices. Based on quantum chemical results a structure–activity relationship has been attempted.     

Synthesis,DNA-binding,and cytotoxic studies on three copper(II) complexes of unsymmetrical synthetic analogues of curcumin

Copper(II) chelates of three unsymmetrical synthetic analogs of curcumin, namely (2E)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-5-((E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl)cyclopentanone(1), (2E)-2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-5-((E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acryloyl)cyclopentanone(2), and (2E)-2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-5-((E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl)cyclopeantanone(3) have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The ligands were in their enolic form and metal complexes have 1 : 2 metal:ligand stoichiometry. The DNA-binding properties of the ligands and their metal complexes were studied by absorption titrations, fluorescence quenching experiments, and viscosity measurements with calf-thymus DNA. The interactions of copper(II) complexes were higher than that of free ligands. The observed intrinsic binding constants reveal moderate interaction of copper(II) complexes with calf-thymus DNA. The binding involves intercalative mode through non-covalent interactions and produced conformational changes in the structure of DNA. The compounds were investigated for their possible cytotoxic and antitumor activities. All the compounds were cytotoxic towards Dalton’s lymphoma ascites cells. It was found that copper chelates are remarkably active compared to free curcumin analogs. Concentrations needed for 50% cell death were 10–22 μg mL^?1 for copper complexes and 27–52 μg mL^?1 for curcumin analogs. Copper complex of 2 with two hydroxyl groups in the phenyl ring was most active towards Dalton’s lymphoma ascites cells (increase in life span 77.91%). Copper(II) complex of 3, which possesses methoxy groups in the phenyl ring system, showed the lowest activity towards increase in lifespan of tumor-bearing mice (increase in lifespan 60.14%). Copper chelates of all curcuminoid analogs showed a significant reduction in solid tumor volume in mice.     

DNA binding,cleavage, and cytotoxicity of binuclear phenolate nickel(II) complexes

Three binuclear phenolate complexes, [Ni₂(L¹)₂(OAc)](BPh₄)·DMF (1), [Ni₂(L²)₂(OAc)](BPh₄) (2), and [Ni₂(L³)₂(OAc)](OH)·3H₂O (3), where L¹ = 2-{[bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-methyl}-4-methyl-phenol, L² = 2-{[bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-methyl}-4-methoxy-phenol, and L³ = 2-{[bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-methyl}-4-tert-butyl-phenol), have been synthesized. Single-crystal diffraction reveals that all the metal atoms are in a distorted octahedral geometry. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by UV–vis absorption, fluorescence emission, and circular dichroism spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. Furthermore, DNA cleavage mechanism shows that the complexes may be capable to promote DNA cleavage through oxidative DNA damage pathway, which is indicative of the involvement of hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, or singlet oxygen-like entity in the cleavage process. Cytotoxicity studies on the Hela and MCF-7 cancer cell lines show that complexes 1–3 exhibit excellent activity toward the tested tumor cell lines with respect to the standard drug carboplatin, revealing that they have the potential to act as effective metal-based anticancer drugs.     

Effect of 1,10-phenanthroline on DNA binding,DNA cleavage,cytotoxic and lactate dehydrogenase inhibition properties of Robson type macrocyclic dicopper(II) complex

DNA targeting macrocyclic dicopper(II) complex, [Cu₂L(H₂O)₂](phen)₂(ClO₄)₂ (L = μ-11,23-dimethyl-3,7,15,19-tetraazatricyclo-[19.3.1.1^9,13,21] he p t a c o s a-1(24), 2, 7, 9, 11, 13(26), 14, 19, 21(25), 22-decaene-25,26-diol) (2), has been synthesized and characterized. This has been synthesized by reacting a Robson type macrocyclic precursor dicopper(II) complex [Cu₂L(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and 1,10-phenanthroline in ethanol. Solution ESR, electronic, and ESI-MS spectral studies suggest that 1,10-phenanthroline replaces coordinated water in 1, giving 2. The influence of the phenanthroline on DNA binding, cleavage, and anticancer properties of 2 have been investigated. Complex 2 displays better DNA binding and cleavage than 1. The dicopper(II) complexes 1 and 2 show cytotoxicity in human cervical HeLa cancer cells, giving IC₅₀ values of 79.41 and 15.82 μM, respectively. Antiproliferative properties of 1 and 2 were confirmed by Trypan Blue exclusive assay and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme level in HeLa cancer cell lysate and content media.     

Crystal structures,antibacterial, antioxidant and nucleic acid interactions of mononuclear,and tetranuclear palladium(II) complexes containing Schiff base ligands

Two new palladium complexes, [Pd(dpbs)Cl] (1) and [Pd₄(dbbs)₄] (2) (where (dpbs)₂ = o,o′-(N,N′-dipicolinyldene)diazadiphenyl disulfide and (dbbs)₂ = N,N′-(1,1′-dithio-bis(phenylene))-bis(salicylideneimine)), have been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectral (electronic, IR, ¹H, ¹³C spectroscopy) techniques. The structures of 1 and 2 have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, which indicate distorted square planar coordination geometries around palladium(II) by O, N, and S donors. The metal chelates have been screened for their antibacterial and antioxidant activities, and compared with their respective ligands. The binding properties of the complexes have been studied by electronic absorption, emission spectroscopy, and viscosity measurements. The competitive fluorescence study with ethidium bromide and the effect of iodide concentration on ?uorescence of the complex-DNA system have been investigated. All these experimental results suggest that palladium complexes strongly bind to DNA, presumably via groove binding. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (ΔH°), and entropy change (ΔS°) were calculated by the Van’t Hoff equation, suggesting hydrogen bonds play a predominant role in the binding of complexes to DNA.     

Oxidative DNA cleavage by Cu(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione

A dimeric dichloro-bridged copper(II) complex [Cu₂(pdon)₂Cl₄] · 2DMF (1) and two mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(pdon)(DMSO)Cl₂] · DMSO · H₂O (2) and [Cu(pdon)₃] · (ClO₄)₂ · 2.25CH₃CN · 6H₂O (3) (pdon = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) have been synthesized and characterized. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies indicate the existence of weak anti-ferromagnetic coupling in the binuclear complex. The interaction of these complexes with CT-DNA (calf thymus DNA) has been studied using absorption and emission spectral methods. The apparent binding constants (K _app) for 1, 2 and 3 are 5.20 × 10⁵, 2.68 × 10⁵ and 7.05 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively, showing moderate intercalative binding modes. All of these complexes cleave plasmid DNA to nicked DNA in a sequential manner as the concentration or reaction time is increased. The cleavage mechanism between the complex and plasmid DNA is likely to involve singlet oxygen ¹O₂ and ?OH as reactive oxygen species.     

Iron(II) complexes containing the 2,6-bis-iminopyridyl moiety. Synthesis,characterization, reactivity,and DNA binding

Two iron(II) complexes, [Fe^II(py^tBuN₃)₂](FeCl₄) (1) and [Fe^II(py^tBuMe₂N₃)Cl₂] (2), with sterically constrained py^tBuN₃ and py^tBuMe₂N₃ chelate ligands (py^tBuN₃ = 2,6-bis-(aldiimino)pyridyl; py^tBuMe₂N₃ = 2,6-bis-(ketimino)pyridyl), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis spectra, and preliminary X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The latter revealed that Fe(II) in 1 is six-coordinate by six nitrogen donors from two bisiminopyridines in a distorted octahedron. Complex 2 reacts with thiourea with a second-order rate constant k₂ = (2.50 ± 0.05) × 10^?3 M^?1 s^?1 at 296 K, and the reaction seemed to be slow. In a similar way, the interaction of 2 and DNA was studied by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. The results revealed that 2 caused fluorescence quenching of DNA through a dynamic quenching procedure. The binding constants K_A, K_app, and K_SV as well as the number of binding sites between 2 and DNA were determined.     

Mn(III) and Cu(II) complexes of 1-((3-(dimethylamino)propylimino)methyl) naphthalen-2-ol): Synthesis,characterization, catecholase and phenoxazinone synthase activity and DFT-TDDFT study

Two new complexes, [MnL₂](ClO₄) (1) and [CuL₂] (2) (where LH = (E)-1-((3-(dimethylamino)propylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol), have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and their molecular structures are established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Complex 1 adopts an octahedral geometry around the central manganese atom which is in + 3 oxidation state, whereas in complex 2, the Cu⁺² ion preferred a square pyramidal environment around it through the ligand donor atoms. Both complexes were tested for catecholase and phenoxazinone synthase activity. Complex 1 catalyzes the oxidation of 3,5-ditertiary-butyl catechol with a k_cat value of 6.8424 × 10² h^?1 in acetonitrile whereas the same for complex 2 is 3.7485 × 10² h^?1 in methanol. Phenoxazinone synthase activity was shown only by complex 2 having k_cat = 74.225 h^?1. Structures of both the title complexes have been optimized by means of DFT calculations. Experimental electronic spectra of the complexes have been corroborated by TDDFT analysis. Electrochemical investigations by means of cyclic voltammetry have been carried out to study the electron transfer processes in the complexes.     

Synthesis, characterization, DNA-binding, photocleavage, cytotoxicity and docking studies of Co(III) mixed ligand complexes

A new ligand, (2-ethoxy-6-(1H imadazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline-2-yl)phenol) (HEPIP) and its three Co(III) complexes [Co(phen)₂(HEPIP)](ClO₄)₃ (1), [Co(bpy)₂(HEPIP)](ClO₄)₃ (2) and [Co(dmb)₂(HEPIP)](ClO₄)₃ (3) have been synthesized and characterized. All three Co(III) complexes exhibited antitumor activity against four human tumor cell lines. The interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA was studied by absorption and emission spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and DNA cleavage assays. The DNA-binding constants of complexes 1, 2 and 3 were determined as 6.13 × 10⁵, 4.46 × 10⁵ and 3.72 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively. The complexes appear to interact with DNA through intercalation. Studies on the mechanism of photocleavage indicated that both superoxide anion radical and singlet oxygen may play an important role.     

Synthesis of nickel(II) complexes of isatin thiosemicarbazone derivatives: in vitro anti-cancer,DNA binding,and cleavage activities

Six new nickel(II) complexes of thiosemicarbazone Schiff base with isatin moiety [Ni(L1)₂–Ni(L6)₂] were synthesized through reaction of Ni(II) with (Z)-2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L1H), (Z)-2-(5-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L2H), (Z)-2-(5-fluoro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L3H), (Z)-N-methyl-2-(5-nitro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (L4H), (Z)-N-methyl-2-(5-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (L5H), and (Z)-N-ethyl-2-(5-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (L6H). The structures of the Ni complexes were characterized through elemental analysis, infrared, and mass spectral data. The structure of the NiL2 complex was further characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The interaction of these complexes with calf thymus (CT-DNA) exhibited high intrinsic binding constants (K_b = 1.4 × 10⁵–2.4 × 10⁶ M^?1), which reflected their intercalative activity toward CT-DNA. This result was also confirmed by viscosity data. Electrophoresis studies revealed that these complexes could cleave the DNA through the oxidative pathway. The in vitro anti-proliferative study establishes the anticancer potency of these compounds against human colorectal carcinoma cell line.