DNA/lysozyme binding propensity and nuclease properties of benzimidazole/2,2'-bipyridine based binuclear ternary transition metal complexes

In the present contribution, new binuclear ternary complexes; [M2(bpy)4L](ClO4)4 (M = Co(ii) (1) and Ni(ii) (2); bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; L = 1,1'-(hexane-1,6-diyl)bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)1H-benzimidazole] and [Cu2(bpy)2(OH2)2L](BF4)4 (3) were synthesized, characterized and screened for their antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against human liver carcinoma cells (HepG-2) as well as non-malignant human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). The structural studies were complemented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DNA binding of 1-3 was spectrophotometrically studied. The DNA cleavage ability of 1-3 towards the supercoiled plasmid DNA (pBR322 DNA) was examined through gel electrophoresis. Compound 3 has the highest cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 3.5 μg mL-1) against HepG-2 among the investigated complexes and is non cytotoxic to noncancerous HEK-293. Complexes (1 and 2) exhibited toxicity to HEK-293 with IC50 values of 30.3 and 23.5 μg mL-1 in that order. While compound 1 showed antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, complex 2 exhibited its toxicity against Candida albicans.

Copper complex with sulfamethazine and 2,2'-bipyridine supported on mesoporous silica microspheres improves its antitumor action toward human osteosarcoma cells: cyto- and genotoxic effects

Ideal drugs to cure cancer leave normal cells unharmed while selectively turning tumor cells unviable. Several copper complexes have been able to selectively slow down tumor proliferation. We hypothesized that Cu(smz)₂(bipy)·H₂O (1)-a copper-complex that has two ligands capable of interacting with DNA-would outperform Cu(smz)₂(OH₂)·2H₂O (2), and also that supporting 1 on mesoporous silica spheres would decrease even further tumor cell viability in vitro. After exposing osteosarcoma cells (MG-63) and normal phenotype cells of bone origin (MC3T3-E1) to either complex, we studied their toxic effect and mechanisms of action. We determined cell viability (MTT assay) and quantified formation of reactive oxygen species (oxidation of DHR-123 to rhodamine). Moreover, we assessed genotoxicity from (i) formation of micronucleus (MN assay) and (ii) damage of DNA (Comet assay). After the exposure of 1 supported on silica spheres, we tested cell viability. Our results confirm our hypotheses: inhibition of tumor cells follows: supported 1 > dissolved 1 > 2. Future work that enhances the load of the complex exclusively in mesopores may improve the ability of 1 to further inhibit tumor cell viability.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, spectroscopic and biological studies on sulfamethazine and sulfaquinoxaline ternary complexes with 2,2′-biquinoline

Three ternary complexes with sulfaquinoxaline or sulfamethazine have been synthesized and their structural, spectroscopic and biological properties have been studied.

The structural characterization and biological activity of sulfamethoxazolyl-azo-p-cresol, its copper(ii) complex and their theoretical studies

Sulfonamide-azophenol and its copper(ii) complex exhibit antimicrobial activity and interaction with DNA. Molecular docking was used to determine the mechanism of drug action.

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue with hematite nanoparticles synthesized by thermal decomposition of fluoroquinolones oxalato–iron(iii) complexes

Thermal decomposition of fluoroquinolones oxalato iron(iii) complexes, synthesized from fluoroquinolones and potassium tris(oxalato)ferrate(iii) trihydrate, gave α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles suitable for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.