New transition metal complexes of 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde benzoylhydrazone Schiff base (H2dhbh): Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, DNA binding/cleavage and antioxidant activity

Palladium(ii), platinum(ii), and silver(i) complexes with 3-acetylcoumarin benzoylhydrazone Schiff base: Synthesis, characterization, biomolecular interactions, cytotoxic activity, and computational studies

New Pd(ii) (C1), Pt(ii) (C2), and Ag(i) (C3) complexes derived from 3-acetylcoumarin benzoylhydrazone (HL) Schiff base were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, UV-visible spectroscopies along with elemental analysis (C, H, N), magnetic, molar conductivity measurements, and DFT calculations. The obtained results suggested that the ligand had different behaviors in the complexes: mono-negative tridentate (C1) and neutral tridentate (C2) as an ONO-donor and neutral bidentate (C3) as an ON-donor. Quantum chemistry calculations were performed to validate the stability of the suggested geometries and indicated that all the complexes possess tetra-coordinated metal ions. The binding affinity of all the compounds toward calf thymus (ctDNA), yeast (tRNA), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was evaluated by absorption/emission spectral titration studies, which revealed the intercalative binding to ctDNA and tRNA and static binding upon complex formation with BSA. Molecular insights into the binding affinity of the characterized complexes were provided through conducting molecular docking analysis. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity (in vitro) of the compounds was screened against human cancerous cell lines and a non-cancerous lung fibroblast (WI38) one using cis-platin as a reference drug. The IC50 and selective index (SI) values indicated the higher cytotoxic activity of all the metal complexes compared to their parent ligand. Among all the compounds, the complex C2 showed the highest activity. These results confirmed the improvement of the anticancer activity of the ligand by incorporating the metal ions. In addition, flow cytometry results showed that complexes C1 and C2 induced cell cycle arrest at S and G1/S, respectively.

Design, synthesis, characterization, in vitro cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antioxidant studies, DFT, thermal and molecular docking evaluation of biocompatible Co(II) complexes of N4O4-macrocyclic ligands

Bioactive cobalt (II) macrocyclic complexes [Co(N4O4ML1)Cl2]-[Co(N4O4ML3)Cl2] have been synthesized by using the macrocyclic ligands [N4O4ML1], [N4O4ML2], and [N4O4ML3] that have an N4O4 core. These three macrocyclic ligands were all isolated in pure form, together with their complexes. Microanalytical investigations, FT-IR NMR, Mass, magnetic moments, electronic, PXRD, TGA, and EPR spectrum studies were used to analyse their structures. For these complexes, an octahedral geometry is proposed for the metal ion. By using molecular weights and conductivity measurements the monomeric and non-electrolytic nature has been confirmed. The Coats-Redfern and FWO methods are used to determine the thermodynamic characteristics of the ligands and their Co(II) complexes. The molecular modelling using the DFT technique displays the bond angle, bond lengths and quantum chemical properties. To determine their ability to prevent the growth of harmful fungus and bacteria, the ligands [N4O4ML1]- [N4O4ML3] and their complexes were tested in vitro against A. Niger, C. albicans and B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli and S. typhi fungal and bacterial organisms, respectively. By using DPPH free radical scavenger assays, the in vitro antioxidant capabilities of each compound were evaluated. The [Co(N4O4ML3)Cl2] antioxidative capabilities revealed significant radical scavenging power. The MTT assay was used to assess the toxicity of all the synthesised compounds under inquiry on MCF-7, HeLa, and A549 cancer cells. The findings revealed that the ligand and the compounds gave outstanding IC50 values in the range of 9.07-36.25 (uM) at a concentration of 25 ppm. Among all the substances evaluated, [Co(N4O4ML3)Cl2] complex was discovered to be the most active and least cytotoxic. Additionally, docking investigations of the produced compounds were carried out in order to validate the biological outcomes.

Acylhydrazones as sensitive fluorescent sensors for discriminative detection of thorium (IV) from uranyl and lanthanide ions

Thorium, as a radioactive element, is always associated with rare earth in nature. So it is an exacting challenge to recognize thorium ion (Th⁴⁺) in the presence of lanthanide ions because of their overlapping ionic radii. Here three simple acylhydrazones (AF, AH and ABr, with the functional group fluorine, hydrogen and bromine, respectively) are explored for Th⁴⁺ detection. They all exhibit excellent "turn-on" fluorescence selectivity toward Th⁴⁺ among f-block ions in aqueous medium with outstanding anti-interference abilities, where the coexistence of lanthanide and uranyl ions in addition with other ordinary metal ions have negligible effects during Th⁴⁺ detection. Interestingly, pH variation from 2 to 11 has no significant influence on the detection. Among the three sensors, AF displays the highest sensitivity to Th⁴⁺ and ABr the lowest with the emission wavelengths in the order of λ_AF-Th < λ_AH-Th < λ_ABr-Th. The detection limit of AF to Th⁴⁺ can reach 29 nM (pH = 2) with a binding constant of 6.64 × 10⁹ M^-2. Response mechanism for AF toward Th⁴⁺ is proposed based on the results of HR-MS, ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies together with DFT calculations. This work provides important implications on the development of related series of ligands in nuclide ions detection and future separation from lanthanide ions.

Recent Overview of Potent Antioxidant Activity of Coordination Compounds

During recent decades, the complexation of organic ligands toward several metal ions of s-p and d-block has been applied as a plan to enhance its antioxidant performance. Due to their wide range of beneficial impacts, coordination compounds are widely used in industries, specifically in the medicinal and pharmaceutical fields. The activity is generally improved by chelation consequently knowing that the characteristics of both ligands and metals can lead to the development of greatly active compounds. Chelation compounds are a substitute for using the traditional synthetic antioxidants, because metal chelates present benefits, including a variety in geometry, oxidation states, and coordination number, that assist and favor the redox methods associated with antioxidant action. As well as understanding the best studied anti-oxidative assets of these compounds, coordination compounds are involved in the free radical scavenging process and protecting human organisms from the opposing effects of these radicals. The antioxidant ability can be assessed by various interrelated systems. The methodological modification offers the most knowledge on the antioxidant property of metal chelates. Colorimetric techniques are the most used, though electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is an alternative for metallic compounds, since color does not affect the results. Information about systems, with their benefits, and restrictions, permits a dependable valuation of the antioxidant performance of coordination compounds, as well as assisting application in various states wherever antioxidant drugs are required, such as in food protection, appropriate good-packaged foods, dietary supplements, and others. Because of the new exhaustive analysis of organic ligands, it has become a separate field of research in chemistry. The present investigation will be respected for providing a foundation for the antioxidant properties of organic ligands, future tests on organic ligands, and building high-quality antioxidative compounds.

Structural, spectroscopic, in silico, in vitro and DNA binding evaluations of tyrosyl-lysyl-threonine

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the molecular structure and DNA binding interaction of the tyrosyl-lysyl-threonine (YKT) tripeptide, which has anticancer, antioxidant and analgesic properties, using various in silico (MD, QM, molecular docking), spectroscopic (UV, FT-IR, FTIR-ATR, Raman, gel electrophoresis) and in vitro (MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines and BEAS-2B cell line) methods. The optimized geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), natural bond orbital (NBO) and HOMO-LUMO (highest occupied molecular orbital- lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) calculations were carried out with Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set to indicate conformational, vibrational and intramolecular charge transfer characteristics. The assignment of all fundamental theoretical vibration wavenumbers was performed using potential energy distribution analysis (PED). DNA is a significant pharmacological target of drugs in several diseases such as cancer. For this reason, molecular docking calculation was used to elucidate the binding and interaction between YKT tripeptide and DNA at the atomic level. Also, the dynamic behaviors of YKT and DNA was examined using MD simulations. Besides, the interaction of YKT with DNA was experimentally examined by UV titration method and agarose gel electrophoresis method. Experimental results showed that YKT was intercalatively and electrostatically bound to CT-DNA (Calf thymus DNA) and cleavage pBR322 DNA in the presence of H₂O₂. The pharmacokinetic profile of YKT was also obtained. Cytotoxic effect of YKT was evaluated on MCF-7, HeLa and BEAS-2B cell lines. Hence, these studies about YKT tripeptide may pave the way for the development of various cancer drugs. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A new bio-active asymmetric-Schiff base: synthesis and evaluation of calf thymus DNA interaction, topoisomerase IIα inhibition, in vitro antiproliferative activity, SEM analysis and molecular docking studies

In this paper, the asymmetric-Schiff base 2-(4-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)benzylideneamino)benzoic acid (SB-2) was newly synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The interaction of SB-2 with calf thymus DNA was investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking methods. It was determined that SB-2 effectively binds to DNA via the intercalation mode. DNA electrophoretic mobility experiments displayed that topoisomerase IIα could not cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA in the presence of SB-2, confirming that the Schiff base acts as a topo II suppressor. In the molecular docking studies, SB-2 was found to show an affinity for both the DNA-topoisomerase IIα complex and the DNA. In vitro antiproliferative activity of SB-2 was screened against HT-29 (colorectal) and HeLa (cervical) human tumor cell lines by MTT assay. SB-2 diminished the cell viability in a concentration- and incubation time-dependent manner. The ability of SB-2 to measure DNA damage in tumor cells was evaluated with cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay after incubation 24 h and 48 h. Light and scanning electron microscopy experiments of tumor cells demonstrated an incubation time-dependent increase in the proportion of apoptotic cells (nuclear condensation and apoptotic bodies) suggesting that autophagy and apoptosis play a role in the death of cells. Based on the obtained results, it may be considered that SB-2 is a candidate for DNA-targeting antitumor drug.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Synthesis, characterization of ruthenium(II), nickel(II), palladium(II), and platinum(II) triphenylphosphine-based complexes bearing an ONS-donor chelating agent: Interaction with biomolecules, antioxidant, in vitro cytotoxic, apoptotic activity and cell cycle analysis

Four new transition metal complexes, [M(PPh₃)(L)]^.CH₃OH (M = Ni(II) (1), Pd(II) (2)) [Pt (PPh₃)₂(HL)]Cl (3) and [Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₂(L)] (4) (H₂L = 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde-S-methyldithiocarbazate, PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), FTIR, NMR (¹H, ³¹P), ESI-MS and UV-visible spectroscopy. The molecular structure of (1) and (2) complexes was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. It showed a distorted square planar geometry for both complexes around the metal center, and the H₂L adopt a bi-negative tridentate chelating mode. The interaction with biomolecules viz., calf thymus DNA (ct DNA), yeast RNA (tRNA), and BSA (bovine serum albumin) was examined by both UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopies. The antioxidant activity of all compounds is discussed on basis of DPPH^• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity and showed better antioxidant activity for complexes compared to the ligand. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested on human (breast cancer (MCF7), colon cancer (HCT116), liver cancer (HepG2), and normal lung fibroblast (WI38)) cell lines, showing that complex (1) the most potent against MCF7 and complex (4) against HCT116 cell lines based on IC₅₀ and selective indices (SI) values. So, both complexes were chosen for further studies such as DNA fragmentation, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle analyses. Complex (1) induced MCF7 cell death by cellular apoptosis and arrest cells at S phase. Complex (4) induced HCT116 cell death predominantly by cellular necrosis and arrested cell division at G2/M phase due to DNA damage.

Structure and biological profile of transition metal complexes with (E)-4-(2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)hydrazinyl)quinazoline

The interaction of the recently reported quinazoline derivative (E)-4-(2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)hydrazinyl)quinazoline (L) with a series of metal(II) (= copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II) and cadmium(II)) chlorides or nitrates resulted in the formation of mononuclear complexes which were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray crystallography, i.e. [Cu(L)₂]Cl₂·4H₂O (1·4H₂O), [Ni(L)₂]Cl₂·4H₂O (2·4H₂O), [Ni(L)₂](NO₃)₂·MeOH (3·MeOH), [Co(L)₂]Cl₂·4H₂O (4·4H₂O), [Co(L)₂](NO₃)₂·H₂O (5·H₂O), [Co(L)₂](NO₃)₃·2.5H₂O (6·2.5H₂O), [Cd(L)(Cl)₂]·H₂O (7·H₂O) and [Cd(L)(CH₃OH)(H₂O)(NO₃)](NO₃) (8). The biological profile of the complexes was further assessed in regard to their binding affinity with calf-thymus DNA, their cleavage ability towards pBluescript II KS plasmid DNA in the absence or presence of irradiation of various wavelengths, their interaction with bovine serum albumin and finally, their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2΄-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals and to reduce H₂O₂.

Antipyrine based Schiff's base as a reversible fluorescence turn "off-on-off" chemosensor for sequential recognition of Al3+ and F- ions: A theoretical and experimental perspective

A Schiff's base probe (L) based on antipyrine has been intended, synthesized and assessed as a turn "off-on-off" probe for successive recognition of Al³⁺ and F^-. The probe L act out as a turn "on" fluorescence probe towards Al³⁺ in methanol at pH 6 which turned "off" by F^- at 433 nm. The 1:1 binding stoichiometry of L + Al³⁺ complex was revealed by Job's plot and approved by ESI-HRMS data. The binding constant and limit of detection of probe L for Al³⁺ were found to be 2.951 × 10⁷ M^-1 and 0.61 × 10^-7 M respectively, which is lesser than the acceptable limit (0.74 × 10^-7 M) in drinking water. The proposed binding sites and the mode of interaction of probe L was studied and validated by ¹H NMR titration and ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopic studies. To get detailed vision into binding mechanism and optimized structure of receptor L and L + Al³⁺, L + Al³⁺ + F^- complex, theoretical calculations using DFT/DND and TDDFT method were performed. Furthermore, probe L can mimic INHIBIT logic function using Al³⁺ and F^- being logic inputs and examining the fluorescence maxima at 433 nm as output.

Palladium(ii) complexes of tetradentate donor–acceptor Schiff base ligands: synthesis and spectral, structural, thermal and NLO properties

Structural and NLO behavior of push–pull palladium(ii) complexes of metallocenyl-containing asymmetric Schiff base ligands.

Macrocyclic Schiff base complexes as potent antimicrobial agents: Synthesis, characterization and biological studies

A series of Cu^II, Co^II, Zn^II and Ni^II, complexes of 3⁴,7⁴-dimethyl-1²,1⁵,5²,5⁵-tetrahydro-2,4,6,8-tetraaza-1,5(2,5)-difurana-3,7(1,2)-dibenzenacyclooctaphane based ligand have been synthesized by template methodology. Characterization of the synthesized complexes has been carried out with the help of various physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques like Infra-Red, ESI-MS, ESR, UV-visible, CHN (elemental analyses), molar conductance, magnetic moment and NMR. Antimicrobial efficacy of the newly designed macrocyclic complexes has performed by the assistance of agar well diffusion method. In-vitro hemolytic and DNA binding studies were also performed in order to analyze or interpret the mode and binding efficiencies as well as the % hemolysis exhibited by the complexes. DFT/TD-DFT studies were carried out in order to elucidate the better insight into the structural parameters. Energy minimization and quantum chemical parameters were calculated using Gaussian09W program.

Chemistry of mixed-ligand oxidovanadium(IV) complexes of aroylhydrazones incorporating quinoline derivatives: Study of solution behavior, theoretical evaluation and protein/DNA interaction

A series of eight hexacoordinated mixed-ligand oxidovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(L^x)(L^N-N)] (1-8), where L^x = L¹ - L⁴ are four differently substituted ONO donor aroylhydrazone ligands and L^N-N are N,N-donor bases like 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) (1, 3, 5 and 7) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (2, 4, 6 and 8), have been reported. All synthesized complexes have been characterized by various physicochemical techniques and molecular structures of 1 and 6 were determined by X-ray crystallography. With a view to evaluate the biological activity of the V^IVO species, the behavior of the systems V^IVO²⁺/L^x, V^IVO²⁺/L^x/bipy and V^IVO²⁺/L^x/phen was studied as a function of pH in a mixture of H₂O/DMSO 50/50 (v/v). DFT calculations allowed finding out the relative stability of the tautomeric forms of the ligands, and predicting the structure of vanadium complexes and their EPR parameters. To study their interaction with proteins, firstly the ternary systems V^IVO²⁺/L^1,2 with 1-methylimidazole, which is a good model for histidine binding, were examined. Subsequently the interaction of the complexes with lysozyme (Lyz), cytochrome c (Cyt) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied. The results indicate that the complexes showed moderate binding affinity towards BSA, while no interaction takes place with lysozyme and cytochrome c. This could be explained with the higher number of accessible coordinating and polar residues for BSA than for Lyz and Cyt. Further, the complexes were also evaluated for their DNA binding propensity through UV-vis absorption titration and fluorescence spectral studies. These results were consistent with BSA binding affinity and showed moderate binding affinity towards CT-DNA.

Development of New Potential Anticancer Metal Complexes Derived from 2-Hydrazinobenzothiazole

Background:

Due to the side effects of clinically approved anticancer drugs there is a great need to explore and develop new metal-based anticancer drug molecules of high efficiency with less or no side effects.

Objective:

To synthesize new metal complexes of 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole (hbt) and to investigate their potential anticancer characteristics.

Methods:

New five complexes; [VO(hbt)2SO4].4H2O (1), [Ru(hbt)2Cl3(H2O)] (2), [M(hbt)2Cl2] [M(II) = Pd (3), Pt (4)] and [Ag(hbt)2].NO3 (5) were prepared and their structure was investigated by means of FTIR, 1H NMR, ESI-MS and UV-Vis spectra, elemental and thermal analysis, magnetic and molar conductance measurements. The ligand and its complexes were examined as anticancer agents against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and human cancer cells (hepatocellular carcinoma Hep-G2, mammary gland breast cancer MCF-7 and colorectal carcinoma HCT-116). This feature is further supported by the DNAmetal complexes binding ability. In addition, anti-oxidation activity of the complexes was investigated.

Results:

Complex (5) shows the highest anticancer activity with IC50 of 5.15, 9.9, 13.1 and 17.7 µg/mL for EAC, HePG-2, MCF-7 and HCT-116, respectively. Complexes (2) and (3) show promising cytotoxicity against EAC and HePG-2 cells with IC50 5.49 and 16.2 µg/mL, respectively. While, complexes (1) and (4) show optimistic cytotoxicity against EAC with IC50 of 9.63 and 11.25 µg/mL, respectively. The order of DNA binding ability of the complexes is (5) > (3) > (2) > (1) > (4). Among the five complexes, complex (5) shows the best anti-oxidation activity.

Conclusion:

Complex (5) showed the highest DNA binding ability, anti-oxidation and anticancer activities.