Design, synthesis, bioanalytical, photophysical and chemo-phototherapeutic studies of heteroleptic Cu(II) complexes

Background: A broad investigation has been paid to design an alternative metal-based anticancer drug, bearing metal ions other than platinum, with more target specificity. In this regard, Cu(II) complexes showed a remarkable intercalation binding property with DNA which have received much attention in the development of efficient anticancer drugs. Methods: A series of mononuclear ternary Cu(II) complexes A, B and C were prepared with H2L and auxiliary ligand. The synthesized H2L and corresponding complexes were characterized using various electroanalytical and physicochemical techniques. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated using Gibb's-Helmholtz, Arrhenius and Eyring equations. Morphology, binding energies of core electrons and crystallographic nature of the metal complexes were evaluated by SEM, XPS and PXRD techniques. Binding studies of the metal complexes with CT-DNA were conducted by absorption, fluorescence and viscometric methods. Significant Findings: The pBR322 cleavage, antioxidant and molecular docking studies revealed the potent biological activity of title complexes. In-vitro cytotoxicity of these biologically active biomaterials tested against HeLa and MCF-7 by MIT assay and DAPI staining revealed their anticancer activity. Such results are supportive for advanced studies which would come through insight for their possible applications. (C) 2021 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.