An In Vitro Study of the Interaction of Copper(II) Salicylates with Genomic DNA Using Gel Electrophoresis and Gel Permeation Chromatography

This papers describes the in vitro interaction of copper(II) acetylsalicylate and copper(II) salicylate with genomic DNA isolated from human blood. The two drug substances were found to bind to DNA after incubation with whole blood over night. Bonding was confirmed by detection of separated DNA electrophoresis bands for copper, copper(II) acetylsalicylate, copper(II) salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid. Drug–DNA interactions were observed during electrophoresis in the form of fragmentation by formation of two bands when compared to controls. Gel permeation chromatography parameters also confirmed the occurrence of fragmentation. The use of gel permeation chromatography parameters as a measure of fragmentation of DNA is discussed. The fragmentation of genomic DNA after incubation with copper(II) acetylsalicylate and copper(II) salicylate suggested that these drug substances might be responsible for cytotoxicity in vivo.