Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,cytotoxicity and molecular docking properties of Cu (II) and Mn (II) complexes with 1,4‐bis (pyrazol‐1‐yl) terephthalic acid

Two novel complexes, [Cu (L)(H₂O)]?H₂O ( 1 ) and [Mn (H₂O)₆] ?L ?H₂O ( 2 ) (L = 1,4‐bis (pyrazol‐1‐yl) terephthalic acid), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Intramolecular weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, and intermolecular interactions play important roles in the construction of the complexes. The interaction of these complexes with fish sperm DNA (FS‐DNA) was monitored and binding constants were determined using UV–visible spectroscopy, which revealed their ability to bind to FS‐DNA, with binding constants for the two complexes of 1.88 × 10⁴ M^?1 ( 1 ) and 1.06 × 10⁴ M^?1 ( 2 ). Viscosity experiments further demonstrated the binding of the complexes to DNA. The complexes were further studied using gel electrophoresis assay with supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA. In addition, anticancer activities of the metal complexes investigated through MTT assays in vitro indicated good cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. Flow cytometry and apoptosis experiments showed that these complexes induced apoptosis of two different cancer cell lines (HeLa and KB cells), demonstrating a significant cancer cell inhibitory rate. Finally, a further molecular docking technique was employed to confirm the binding of the complexes towards the molecular target DNA.     

Antibacterial and Superoxide Dismutase Activity as Well as DNA Interactions of Ciprofloxacin‐Based Ternary Copper(II) Phenanthroline Complexes

. Five neutral mixed‐ligand mononuclear square‐pyramidal copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(cpf)(Lⁿ)Cl] (cpf = ciprofloxacin and Lⁿ = phenanthroline derivatives) ( 1 – 5 ) were synthesized and characterized. The complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity and bactericidal activity against two Gram^(+ve) and three Gram^(–ve) microorganisms and the results showed that all complexes studied are more potent than the quinolone standard drug ciprofloxacin. Absorption titration, viscosity, and thermal denaturation measurement studies revealed that each of these square‐pyramidal complexes moderately interacts with calf thymus DNA. The binding constants for mixed ligand complexes are in order of 1.5 × 10⁴–3.0 × 10⁴ M^–1. Based on the data obtained in the DNA binding studies an intercalative mode of binding is suggested for these complexes. The nucleolytic cleavage activity of adducts and gyrase inhibition assay were studied on double stranded pUC19 DNA by gel electrophoresis experiments. From the SOD mimic study; the concentration of complexes ranging from 0.45 μM to 1.45 μM are enough to inhibit the reduction rate of NBT by 50 % (IC₅₀) in NADH/PMS system.     

Cobalt(II)–metformin complexes containing α‐diimine/α‐diamine as auxiliary ligand: DNA binding properties

The cobalt(II) complexes [Co(Cl)₂(met)(o‐phen)] ( 1 ), [Co(Cl)₂(en)(met)] ( 2 ) and [Co(Cl)₂(met)(opda)] ( 3 ) (met = metformin, o‐phen = ortho‐phenanthroline, en = ethylenediamine, opda = ortho‐phenylenediamine) were synthesized and characterized using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, magnetic moment measurements, electronic spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The metal centre was found to be in an octahedral geometry. UV–visible absorption, fluorescence and viscosity measurements were conducted to assess the interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA. The complexes showed absorption hyperchromism in UV–visible spectra with DNA. The binding constants from UV–visible absorption studies were 1.38 × 10⁵, 2.1 × 10⁵ and 3.1 × 10⁵ M^?1 for 1 , 2 and 3 , respectively, and Stern–Volmer quenching constants from fluorescence studies were 0.146, 0.176 and 0.475, respectively. Viscosity measurements revealed that the binding of the complexes with DNA could be surface binding, mainly due to groove binding. The activities of the complexes in DNA cleavage decrease in the order 3 > 2 > 1 . The complexes were docked into DNA topoisomerase II using Discovery Studio 2.1 software.     

Synthesis,spectral investigation and development of tetrahedral copper(II) complexes as artificial metallonucleases and antimalarial agents

Seven new copper(II) complexes of type [Cu(A)(L)]?H₂O (A = sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, pefloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin; L = 5‐[(3‐chlorophenyl)diazenyl]‐4‐hydroxy‐1,3‐thiazole‐2(3H)‐thione) were synthesized and characterized using elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and electronic, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Fourier transform infrared and liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopies. Tetrahedral geometry around copper is assigned in all complexes using EPR and electronic spectral analyses. All complexes were investigated for their interaction with herring sperm DNA utilizing absorption titration (K_b = 1.27–3.13 × 10⁵ M^?1) and hydrodynamic volume measurement studies. The studies suggest the classical intercalative mode of DNA binding. The cleavage reaction on pUC19 DNA was monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that the Cu(II) complexes can more effectively promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA. The superoxide dismutase mimic activity of the complexes was evaluated by nitroblue tetrazolium assay, and the complexes catalysed the dismutation of superoxide at pH = 7.8 with IC₅₀ values in the range 0.597–0.900 μM. The complexes were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against five pathogenic bacteria. All the complexes are good cytotoxic agents and show LC₅₀ values ranging from 5.559 to 11.912 µg ml^?1. All newly synthesized Cu(II) complexes were also evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strain (IC₅₀ = 0.62–2.0 µg ml^?1). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure and cytotoxicity of zinc (II) and cobalt (II) complexes based on 1,3,5‐tris(1‐imidazolyl) benzene

Three novel complexes, [Zn (tib)₂·(H₂O)₂]·(NO₃)₂ ( 1 ), [Co (tib)₂]·2NO₃ ( 2 ) and [Co₂(tib)₂(btc)]·H₂O ( 3 ) [H₄btc = 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid; H₂tib = 1,3,5‐tris(1‐imidazolyl)benzene], were synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray, IR and elemental analysis. The interaction of these complexes with FS‐DNA (fish sperm DNA) was monitored, and binding constants were determined using UV/Vis, which revealed that they have the ability to bind to FS‐DNA. DNA‐binding constants (K) for the three complexes were 2.2 × 10⁴ m ^?1, 0.7 × 10⁴ m ^?1 and 0.09 × 10⁴ m ^?1, respectively. The interaction capacity of the complexes with FS‐DNA has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Stern–Volmer quenching plot values for complexes 1 , 2 and 3 were 0.3784, 0.1028 and 0.076, respectively. The viscosity measurement suggested that complexes 1 , 2 and 3 interact with DNA in an intercalation mode. In addition, anti‐cancer activities of these complexes investigated through MTT assays in vitro indicated that the complexes showed good cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. Cytotoxic activity of test complexes against two different cancer cell lines (HeLa and KB cells) showed significant cancer cell inhibition rates. Flow cytometry experiments and morphological apoptosis studies showed that the complexes induced apoptosis of HeLa tumor cell lines. Finally, a further molecular docking technique was employed to confirm the binding of the complexes toward the molecular target DNA.     

Antibacterial,nuclease, and SOD-mimic behaviors of copper(II) complexes of norfloxacin and phenanthrolines

Square-pyramidal complexes [Cu(NFL)(A ⁿ )Cl]?·?5H₂O (A ^{n ?}=?phenanthroline derivatives and NFL?=?deprotonated norfloxacin) have been synthesized and characterized. Interactions with Herring Sperm DNA and pUC19 DNA have been investigated. Mode and extent of interaction was measured by the perturbation in absorbance of complexes in the absence and presence of DNA. Hydrodynamic volume change and gel electrophoretic results were also kept under consideration. Synthesized complexes bind to DNA via intercalation with binding constant 0.875–1.446?×?10⁴?(mol?L^?1)^?1 based on bathochromism and hypochromism observed. Intercalative binding of complexes with DNA was further supported by relative viscosity, where 5 intercalates more strongly with most increase in relative viscosity, and K _b value of 1.446?×?10⁴?(mol?L^?1)^?1. Evaluation of electrophoretic separation of plasmid on agarose gel reveals that 5 cleaves more efficiently. Square-pyramidal geometry at the metal center supports superoxide-dismutase (SOD)-mimic behavior in addition to an electron-withdrawing group on the ancillary ligand stabilizing Cu–O bonding.     

Chromium‐metformin ternary complexes: Thermal,DNA interaction and Docking studies

Three chromium ternary complexes with metformin (met) as a primary ligand and bipyridine (bipy) or ortho‐phenylenediamine (opda) or ortho‐phenanthroline (phen) as secondary ligand were synthesized. These complexes [Cr (Cl)₂(Hmet)(bipy)]‐( 1 ), [Cr (Cl)₂(Hmet)(opda)]‐( 2 ) and [Cr (Cl)₂(Hmet)(phen)]‐( 3 ) were characterized by LC–MS, elemental analysis, molar conductance, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy. The geometrical structures have been found to be octahedral. Degradation pattern of the compounds is shown by thermal studies. The Kinetic parameters‐ energy of activation (E_a), enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) and free energy changes (ΔG) have been determined by thermogravimetric data. Coats‐Redfern integration method with thirteen kinetic models was used to calculate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the degradation of all the complexes. The stabilities of the complexes were obtained from their molecular orbital structures from which the quantum chemical parameters were calculated using the HOMO‐LUMO energies. UV–Visible absorption, fluorescence, and viscosity measurements have been conducted to assess the interaction of the complexes with CT DNA. The complexes showed absorption hyperchromism in its UV–Vis spectrum with DNA. The binding constants K_b from UV–Vis absorption studies were 3.1x10⁴, 4.4x10⁴, 5x10⁴ M^?1 for 1, 2, 3 respectively and Stern–Volmer quenching constants (K_sq) from fluorescence studies were 0.137, 0.532, 0.631 for 1, 2, 3 respectively. Finally, viscosity measurements revealed that the binding of the complexes with CT‐DNA could be surface binding, mainly due to groove binding. The activity of complexes towards DNA cleavage decrease in the order of 3 > 2 > 1.The light switching properties of the complexes were also evaluated. The complexes were docked in to B‐DNA sequence, 5′(D*AP*CP*CP*GP*AP*CP*GP*TP*CP*GP*GP*T)‐3′ retrieved from protein data bank (PDB ID: 423D), using Discovery Studio 2.1 software.     

Synthesis,characterization, antimicrobial,SOD mimic and DNA interaction behavior of copper(II) complexes with pefloxacin and phenanthroline derivatives

Square pyramidal copper(II) complexes with second‐generation fluoroquinolone, pefloxacin and phenanthroline derivatives were prepared and characterized. They were also screened for in–vitro activity against two Gram^(+ve) and three Gram^(−ve) microorganisms. SOD mimic behavior was actively sought for clinical and mechanistic purposes under a nonenzymatic system (NBT–NADH–PMS), and was found to have good antioxidant activity. The complexes are avid DNA binders having binding constant (K_b) in the power of 4. Viscosity measurement data confirmed that complexes bind through classical intercalative mode of binding. The cleavage ability on pUC19 DNA was determined using gel electrophoresis technique. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic studies,structural characterization and electrochemical studies of two cobalt (III) complexes with tridentate hydrazone Schiff base ligands: Evaluation of antibacterial activities,DNA‐binding,BSA interaction and molecular docking

Co(III) complexes of tridentate Schiff base ligands derived from N‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)benzamide (H ₂ L ¹ ) and 2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazine‐1‐carboxamide ( H ₂ L ² ) were synthesized and characterized using IR, Raman, ¹H–NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. X‐ray single crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 have also been determined, and it was indicated that these Co(III) complexes are in a distorted octahedral geometry. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the complexes indicates an irreversible redox behavior for both complexes 1 and 2 . The antibacterial effects of the synthesized compounds have been tested by minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration methods, which suggested that the metal complexes exhibit better antibacterial effects than the ligands against Gram‐positive bacteria. The effects of the drug (drug  =  ligands and complexes) on bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined using circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry, and it was revealed that the BSA (BSA, as a carrier protein) secondary structure changed in the presence of the drug. Interaction of the drug with calf‐thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) was investigated by UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence emission, CV and CD spectroscopy. Binding constants were determined using UV–Vis absorption. The results indicated that the studied Schiff bases bind to DNA, with the hyperchromic effect and non‐intercalative mode in which the metal complexes are more effective than ligands. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation was used to obtain the energetic and binding sites for the interaction of the complexes with Mycobacterium tuberculosis enoyl‐acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA), and results showed that complex 1 has more binding energy.     

Cu (II) tyrosinate complexes containing methyl substituted phenanthrolines: Synthesis,X‐ray crystal structures,biomolecular interactions,antioxidant activity,ROS generation and cytotoxicity

In this paper, three new copper (II) complexes, [Cu(4‐mphen)(tyr)(H₂O)]ClO₄ (1) , [Cu(5‐mphen)(tyr)(H₂O)]ClO₄·1.5H₂O (2) and [Cu (tmphen)(tyr)(NO₃)]0.5H₂O (3) (4‐mphen: 4‐methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, 5‐mphen: 5‐methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, tmphen: 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline and tyr: L‐tyrosine), were synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, FT‐IR, ESI‐MS, cyclic voltammetry and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It was found that the complexes adopt a distorted five‐coordinate square pyramidal geometry. The interaction of the three complexes with calf thymus DNA was also investigated using UV–visible absorption spectra, ethidium bromide and Hoechst 33258 displacement assay and thermal denaturation. The DNA cleavage activity of the complexes, monitored using gel electrophoresis, showed significant damage of the pUC19 plasmid DNA. Binding activity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) reveals that these complexes can strongly quench the fluorescence of BSA through a static quenching mechanism. The results suggested that interaction of the complexes with DNA occurred through a partial intercalation into the minor grooves of DNA. In addition, interaction of the complexes with bovine serum albumin quenched the fluorescence emission of the tryptophan residues of the protein binding constants and thermodynamic parameters were obtained from the fluorescence quenching experiments at different temperatures. Free radical scavenging activities of the complexes were determined by various in vitro assays such as 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl free radicals (DPPH˙) and H₂O₂ scavenging methods. In addition, the cytotoxicity of these complexes in vitro on tumor cell lines (Caco‐2 and MCF‐7) was examined by XTT and showed better antitumor effect on the tested cells. ROS (reactive oxygen species) and comet experiments are consistent with each other and these complexes lead to DNA damage via the production of ROS. The effect of the hydrophobic properties of the synthesized complexes on DNA and BSA binding activities were discussed.     

Two MnII,CuII complexes derived from 3,5‐bis(1‐imidazoly) pyridine: Synthesis,DNA binding,Molecular docking and cytotoxicity studies

Two complexes [MnL₂ (H₂O)₂]·2ClO₄ (complex 1) and [CuL(H₂O)₃]·2NO₃ (complex 2) (where L = 3,5‐bis(1‐imidazoly) pyridine) were designed and synthesized. The structures of the complexes were characterized by X‐ray crystallography, elemental analyses, and infrared spectrum. The interaction capacity of the complexes with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to cleave the pBR322 plasmid DNA. Efficient binding properties of DNA were established by UV–vis, fluorescence, and gel electrophoresis. The intrinsic binding constants (K_b) were calculated to be 0.1524, 0.1041 for complexes 1–2, respectively. The cytotoxic activity of the two complexes exhibited a higher cytotoxicity against HeLa cell lines and lower cytotoxicity toward the normal cell lines. Flow cytometry demonstrated the cancer cell inhibitory rate of two complexes. Furthermore, computer‐aided molecular docking studies were performed to visualize the binding mode of the drug candidate at the molecular level. Interestingly, complex 1 exhibited a significant cancer cell inhibitory rate than cisplatin and other complexes.     

DNA/BSA binding interactions and VHPO mimicking potential of vanadium(IV) complexes: Synthesis,structural characterization and DFT studies

Vanadium(IV) Schiff base complexes (VOL¹‐VOL³) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, various spectral methods and single crystal XRD studies. Structural analysis of VOL² reveals that the central vanadium ion in the complex is six coordinate with distorted octahedral geometry. Density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent (TD‐DFT) studies were used to understand the electronic transitions observed in the complexes in UV–Vis spectra. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes was investigated in acetonitrile medium exhibit quasi‐reversible one electron transfer. The DNA and BSA protein binding interaction of vanadium complexes has been explored by UV–Vis and fluorescence spectral methods and viscosity measurements reveal that the complexes interact with CT‐DNA through intercalation mode and follows the order VOL¹ < VOL³ < VOL². The complexes exhibit binding interactions with BSA protein. The complexes act as chemical nuclease and cleave DNA in the presence of H₂O₂. The 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to evaluate the radical scavenging activity demonstrate the antioxidant property of the complexes. The antimicrobial activity was screened for several microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli. The mimicking of vanadium haloperoxidase was investigated by the bromination of the organic substrate phenol red by vanadium complexes in the presence of bromide and H₂O₂.     

Water Soluble Nickel – metformin ternary complexes: Thermal,DNA binding and molecular docking studies

The Nickel (II) complexes [Ni(Cl)₂(metf)(o-phen)] (1), [Ni(Cl)₂(metf)(opda)] (2) , [Ni(Cl)₂(metf)(en)] (3) , [Ni(Cl)₂(metf)(2,2'-bipy)] (4) , (metf = metformin, o-phen = ortho-phenanthroline, opda = ortho-phenylenediamine, en = ethylenediamine, 2–2′ bipy = 2–2′ bipyridyl) were synthesized and characterized using LC–MS, elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, TGA-DTA, IR spectroscopy, magnetic moment measurements and electronic spectroscopy. The central Ni²⁺ was found to be in octahedral geometry. The DNA interaction of these complexes have been studied by UV–visible absorption studies, fluorescence emission technique and viscosity measurement. The complexes showed absorption hyperchromism in UV–visible spectra with calf thymus DNA. The binding constants from UV–visible absorption studies were 7.42 × 10⁴, 0.74 × 10⁴, 3.19 × 10⁴, 5.9 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ for 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 , respectively and Stern-Volmer quenching constants from fluorescence studies were 0.16, 0.41, 0.23, 0.18, respectively. Viscosity measurements revealed that the binding of the complexes with DNA could be surface binding, mainly due to groove binding. The highest DNA cleavage activity of the complexes is recorded for complex 1 . The complexes were docked in to B-DNA sequence, 5′(D*AP*CP*CP*GP*AP*CP* GP*TP*CP*GP*GP*T)-3′ retrieved from protein data bank (PDB ID: 423D), using Discovery Studio 2.1 software. C Docker Intectraction energy of 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 complexes is 32.027, 31.427, 35.393 and 30.521 respectively. The highest docking score is seen for complex 3 .     

Stable Anticancer Gold(III)–Porphyrin Complexes: Effects of Porphyrin Structure

In the design of physiologically stable anticancer gold(III) complexes, we have employed strongly chelating porphyrinato ligands to stabilize a gold(III) ion [Chem. Commun. 2003 , 1718; Coord. Chem. Rev. 2009 , 253, 1682]. In this work, a family of gold(III) tetraarylporphyrins with porphyrinato ligands containing different peripheral substituents on the meso‐aryl rings were prepared, and these complexes were used to study the structure–bioactivity relationship. The cytotoxic IC₅₀ values of [Au(Por)]⁺ (Por=porphyrinato ligand), which range from 0.033 to >100 μM , correlate with their lipophilicity and cellular uptake. Some of them induce apoptosis and display preferential cytotoxicity toward cancer cells than to normal noncancerous cells. A new gold(III)–porphyrin with saccharide conjugation [Au(4‐glucosyl‐TPP)]Cl ( 2 a ; H₂(4‐glucosyl‐TPP)=meso‐tetrakis(4‐β‐D ‐glucosylphenyl)porphyrin) exhibits significant cytostatic activity to cancer cells (IC₅₀=1.2–9.0 μM ) without causing cell death and is much less toxic to lung fibroblast cells (IC₅₀>100 μM ). The gold(III)–porphyrin complexes induce S‐phase cell‐cycle arrest of cancer cells as indicated by flow cytometric analysis, suggesting that the anticancer activity may be, in part, due to termination of DNA replication. The gold(III)–porphyrin complexes can bind to DNA in vitro with binding constants in the range of 4.9×10⁵ to 4.1×10⁶ dm³ mol^?1 as determined by absorption titration. Complexes 2 a and [Au(TMPyP)]Cl₅ ( 4 a ; [H₂TMPyP]⁴⁺=meso‐tetrakis(N‐methylpyridinium‐4‐yl)porphyrin) interact with DNA in a manner similar to the DNA intercalator ethidium bromide as revealed by gel mobility shift assays and viscosity measurements. Both of them also inhibited the topoisomerase I induced relaxation of supercoiled DNA. Complex 4 a , a gold(III) derivative of the known G‐quadruplex‐interactive porphyrin [H₂TMPyP]⁴⁺, can similarly inhibit the amplification of a DNA substrate containing G‐quadruplex structures in a polymerase chain reaction stop assay. In contrast to these reported complexes, complex 2 a and the parental gold(III)–porphyrin 1 a do not display a significant inhibitory effect (<10 %) on telomerase. Based on the results of protein expression analysis and computational docking experiments, the anti‐apoptotic bcl‐2 protein is a potential target for those gold(III)–porphyrin complexes with apoptosis‐inducing properties. Complex 2 a also displays prominent anti‐angiogenic properties in vitro. Taken together, the enhanced stabilization of the gold(III) ion and the ease of structural modification render porphyrins an attractive ligand system in the development of physiologically stable gold(III) complexes with anticancer and anti‐angiogenic activities.     

DNA Binding and Cleavage Activity of cis‐Cobalt Aromatic Oxime Complexes and Its Pyridine/imidazole Adducts

cis‐Cobalt complexes with salicycaldoxime(SAO), (Z)‐1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanonoxime (HEO), (Z)‐1‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethanonoxime (DEO), (Z)‐1‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methanonoxime (DPO) and their adducts with pyridine (Py) and imidazole (Im) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, UV‐Vis and IR spectra. The electrochemical studies were carried by cyclic voltammeter, the peak potential separation and formal potential of complexes were independent of sweep rate or scan rate (ν) indicating a quasi reversible one‐electron redox process. Absorption studies and thermal denature studies revealed that each of these octahedral complexes is an avid binder of calf thymus DNA. The apparent binding constants for mixed ligand complexes are in order of ～10³‐10³ M^?1. Based on the data obtained in the DNA binding studies a partial intercalative mode of binding is suggested for these complexes. The nucleolytic cleavage activity of parent complexes and their pyridine adduct were carried out on double stranded pBR322 circular plasmid DNA by using a gel electrophoresis experiment in the presence and absence of oxidant (H₂O₂). All the metal complexes show enhanced cleavage activity in presence of oxidant. The hydrolytic cleavage of DNA of Co(DEO)₂ and Co(DPO)₂ is evidenced from the control experiments showing discernable cleavage inhibition in the presence of the hydroxyl radical inhibitor DMSO and EDTA.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing 4‐methoxybenzhydrazone ligands: synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,DNA cleavage,radical scavenging and in vitro cytotoxic activity

Three ruthenium(II) hydrazone complexes of composition [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂L] were synthesized from the reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with hydrazones derived from 4‐methoxybenzhydrazide and 4‐formylbenzoic acid (HL¹), 4‐methylbenzaldehyde (HL²) and 2‐bromobenzaldehyde (HL³). The synthesized hydrazone ligands and their metal complexes were characterized using elemental analysis and infrared, UV–visible, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) and mass spectral techniques. The hydrazone ligands act as bidentate ones, with O and N as the donor sites, and are predominantly found in the enol form in all the complexes studied. The molecular structures of the ligands HL¹, HL² and HL³ were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The interactions of the ligands and the complexes with calf thymus DNA were studied using absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry which revealed that the compounds could interact with calf thymus DNA through intercalation. The DNA cleavage activity of the complexes was evaluated using a gel electrophoresis assay which revealed that the complexes act as good DNA cleavage agents. In addition, all the complexes were subjected to antioxidant assay, which showed that they all possess significant scavenging activity against 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, OH and NO radicals. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of the complexes examined on cancerous cell lines (HeLa and MCF‐7) showed that the complexes exhibit substantial anticancer activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel cytotoxic oxovanadium(IV) complexes: Influence of pyrazole‐incorporated heterocyclic scaffolds on their biological response

Homoleptic VO^IV complexes with bidentate heterocycles, namely bipyrazole/pyrimidin‐2‐amine/triazolopyrimidine derivatives, are novel square pyramidal oxovanadium(IV) complexes. Their identities have been established using physicochemical techniques, namely elemental and spectral (ESI‐MS, IR, UV–visible) analyses. The in vitro antibacterial activities against Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive microorganisms have been studied for all compounds, exhibiting good inhibition as compared to the ligands. In addition, all compounds exhibit significant cytotoxicity towards brine shrimp with LD₅₀ values obtained in the range 8–24 μg ml⁻¹. Cellular level cytotoxicity has been investigated using bioassay of Schizosaccharomyces pombe , the complexes showing inevitable viability as concentration increases. Notably, UV absorption spectral titrations of the synthesized complexes with DNA reveal that the complexes bind to calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) through intercalation mode (K _b = 10⁴–10⁵ M⁻¹). Molecular docking reveals that the compounds are stacked between the base pairs of DNA. The results suggest that the complexes show promising binding affinity compared to the ligands towards CT‐DNA.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of dimedone derivatives

We have successfully synthesized new oxovanadium (IV) complexes with dimedone derivatives and their structure were confirmed by elemental analyses, spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, UV–visible, EPR) and thermal analysis. The reaction of [VO (acac)₂] with the azo dimedone ligands ( HL _n ) produced mononuclear oxovanadium (IV) complexes with formula [VO (L_n)₂]H₂O. Results of the molar conductance proved that VO²⁺ complexes are non-electrolytes and fall in the range 14–16 Ω-¹cm²mol⁻¹. The coordination geometry of VO (IV) complexes is square-pyramidal, where vanadium (IV) ion is coordinated by oxygen atom of the carbonyl (C=O) group, and nitrogen atom of the deprotonating hydrazone moiety (–NH–), while the fifth position is occupied by an oxo group. Moreover, the optimized structure, bond angles, bond lengths, as well as the calculated quantum chemical parameters of the complexes have been estimated. DNA binding activities of the complexes were investigated using electronic absorption titration and viscosity measurements. The obtained results showed groove binding of the complexes to CT-DNA accompanied with a partial insertion of the ligand between the base stacks of the DNA with a binding constant of 2.07–5.51 x 10⁵ M⁻¹ range. Evaluation results of the synthesized complexes against the human cancer cell lines HepG-2 and MCF-7, as compared to the positive controls in the viability assay of vinblastine and colchicine have been reported. The in vitro anti-oxidant activity of all the complexes is determined by DPPH free radical-scavenging assay. Finally, the anti-microbial activities of the complexes have been investigated against fungal (Candida albicans), gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), and gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) using the disc-diffusion method.     

Ag(I) and Zn(II) isonicotinate complexes: design,characterization, antimicrobial effect,and CT-DNA binding studies

Trinuclear Ag(I) (1) and dinuclear and mononuclear Zn(II) isonicotinate (2 and 3) complexes were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Single-crystal analysis of the Ag(I) complex reveals two different monodentate carboxylate coordination modes, protonated and deprotonated, respectively. IR spectra showed correlations between isonicotinate coordination modes and Δ(ν_as???ν_s)_IR values. In addition, the hydrogen bonds significantly influence a position of carboxylate absorption bands. Moreover, IC₅₀ and MIC data for bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi were determined and the binding of Ag(I) and Zn(II) complexes to calf thymus DNA was investigated using electronic absorption, fluorescence, and CD measurements. Biological tests showed that the Ag(I) complex is more active than commercially used Ag(I) sulfadiazine against Escherichia coli. The fluorescence spectral results indicate that the complexes can bind to DNA through an intercalative mode. The Stern–Volmer quenching constants for investigated complexes obtained from the linear quenching plot are in the range of 1.67 × 10⁴–3.42 × 10⁴ M^?1.     

New anthracene based Schiff base ligands appended Cu(II) complexes: Theoretical study,DNA binding and cleavage activities

New anthracene based Schiff base ligands L ¹ and H( L ² ), their Cu(II) complexes [Cu( L ¹ )Cl₂] ( 1 ) and [Cu( L ² )Cl] ( 2 ) , (where L ¹  = N¹,N²‐bis(anthracene‐9‐methylene)benzene‐1,2‐diamine, L ²  = (2Z,4E)‐4‐(2‐(anthracen‐9‐ylmethyleneamino)phenylimino)pent‐2‐en‐2‐ol) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, FAB‐mass, EPR, FT‐IR, UV–Vis and cyclic voltammetry. The electronic structures and geometrical parameters of complexes 1 and 2 were analyzed by the theoretical B3LYP/DFT method. The interaction of these complexes 1 and 2 with CT‐DNA has been explored by using absorption, cyclic voltammetric and CD spectral studies. From the electronic absorption spectral studies, it was found that the DNA binding constants of complexes 1 and 2 are 8.7 × 10³ and 7.0 × 10⁴ M^?1, respectively. From electrochemical studies, the ratio of DNA binding constants K₊/K₂₊ for 2 has been estimated to be >1. The high binding constant values, K₊/K₂₊ ratios more than unity and positive shift of voltammetric E_1/2 value on titration with DNA for complex 2 suggest that they bind more avidly with DNA than complex 1 . The inability to affect the conformational changes of DNA in the CD spectrum is the definite evidences of electrostatic binding by the complex 1 . It can be assumed that it is the bulky anthracene unit which sterically inhibits these complexes 1 and 2 from intercalation and thereby remains in the groove or electrostatic. The complex 2 hardly cleaves supercoiled pUC18 plasmid DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The results suggest that complex 2 bind to DNA through minor groove binding.