Synthesis, characterization and comparative DNA interaction studies of new copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes containing mesalamine drug using molecular modeling and multispectroscopic methods

pH-Sensitive Gold Nanorods for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Delivery and DNA-Binding Studies

A facile experimental protocol for the synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified (PEGylated) gold nanorods (AuNRs@PEG) is presented as well as an effective drug loading procedure using the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen (NAP). The interaction of AuNRs@PEG and drug-loaded AuNRs (AuNRs@PEG@NAP) with calf-thymus DNA was studied at a diverse temperature revealing different interaction modes; AuNRs@PEG may interact via groove-binding and AuNRs@PEG@NAP may intercalate to DNA-bases. The cleavage activity of the gold nanoparticles for supercoiled circular pBR322 plasmid DNA was studied by gel electrophoresis while their affinity for human and bovine serum albumins was also evaluated. Drug-release studies revealed a pH-sensitive behavior with a release up to a maximum of 24% and 33% NAP within the first 180 min at pH = 4.2 and 6.8, respectively. The cytotoxicity of AuNRs@PEG and AuNRs@PEG@NAP was evaluated against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. The development of AuNRs as an efficient non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) delivery system for chemotherapy is still in its infancy. The present work can shed light and inspire other research groups to work in this direction.

Template synthesis, DNA binding, antimicrobial activity, Hirshfeld surface analysis, and 1D helical supramolecular structure of a novel binuclear copper(ii) Schiff base complex

A new binuclear copper(ii) Schiff base complex [Cu2 L2 - (NO3)2]·2CH3OH (1) [L = 2,6-bis((E)-(p-tolylimino)methyl)-4-methoxyphenol] was synthesized using a template method in which the tridentate N2O Schiff base ligand was derived from [1 + 2] condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-methoxyphenol and p-methyl aniline in the presence of copper(ii) ions as the template agent. The X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that this complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P21/n. The most remarkable structural feature of 1 is that it contains two types of 1D right-handed helical chains. The molecules are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π⋯π interactions, then a 3D supramolecular network was constructed. Moreover, the intermolecular interactions on the crystal packing of 1 have been further studied using Hirshfeld surface analysis and corresponding 2D fingerprint plots. Binding interaction of this complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated using absorption and emission studies, viscosity experiments and circular dichroism studies. Complex 1 shows significant binding to the DNA. The results of fluorescence spectroscopy and UV absorption spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy and viscosity indicated that this complex interacted with CT-DNA in a groove binding mode where the binding constant was 1.3 ± 0.2 × 104 L mol-1. Our fluorimeteric study showed that the reaction between 1 and CT-DNA was exothermic (ΔH = 59.6 kJ mol-1; ΔS = 268.79 J mol-1 K-1). Antibacterial activities of the complex were screened by the disc diffusion method against three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 23212 and S. epidermidis ATCC 34384), and three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 70063). The results indicated that this complex demonstrated acceptable antibacterial activities.

Experimental and Molecular Docking Studies on the Interaction of a Water-Soluble Pd(II) Complex Containing β-Amino Alcohol with Calf Thymus DNA

The interaction of water-soluble and fluorescent [Pd (HEAC) Cl₂] complex, in which HEAC is 2-((2-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)ethyl)amino) cyclohexanol, with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) has been studied. This study was performed using electronic absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry and circular dichroism analyses, dynamic viscosity measurements, and molecular docking theory. From hypochromic effect observed in ct-DNA absorption spectra, it was found that the Pd(II) complex could form a conjugate with ct-DNA strands through the groove binding mode. The K_b values obtained from fluorescence measurements clearly assert the Pd(II) complex affinity to ct-DNA. The fluorescence quenching of the DNA-Hoechst compound following the successive additions of the Pd(II) complex to the solution revealed that the Pd(II) complex is located in the ct-DNA grooves, and Hoechst molecules have been released into solution; moreover, the resulting measurements from relative viscosity authenticate the Pd(II) complex binding to the grooves. Negative quantities of thermodynamic parameters imply that the Pd(II) complex binds to ct-DNA mainly by the hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces; also, the Gibbs-free energy changes show the exothermic and spontaneous formation of the Pd(II) complex-DNA system. The electrochemical behavior of the Pd(II) complex in the attendance of ct-DNA was investigated using the cyclic voltammetry method (CV). Several quasi-reversible redox waves were observed along with increasing the anodic/cathodic peak currents, as well as a shift in anodic/cathodic peak potentials. Circular dichroism (CD) observations suggested that the Pd(II)-DNA interaction could alter ct-DNA conformation. The results of molecular modeling confirmed that groove mechanism is followed by the Pd(II) complex to interact with ct-DNA.

A New Piano-Stool Ruthenium(II) P-Cymene-Based Complex: Crystallographic, Hirshfeld Surface, DFT, and Luminescent Studies

A new complex (Ru(η6-p-cymene)(5-ASA)Cl2) (1) where 5-ASA is 5-aminosalicylic acid has been prepared by reacting the ruthenium arene precursors ((η6-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl)2, with the 5-ASA ligands in a 1:1 ratio. Full characterization of complex 1 was accomplished by elemental analysis, IR, and TGA following the structure obtained from a single-crystal X-ray pattern. The structural analysis revealed that complex 1 shows a “piano-stool” geometry with Ru-C (2.160(5)- 2.208(5)Å), Ru-N (2.159(4) Å) distances, which is similar to equivalents sister complex. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the significant molecular orbital energy levels, binding energies, bond angles, bond lengths, and spectral data (FTIR, NMR, and UV–VIS) of complex 1, consistent with the experimental results. The IR and UV–VIS spectra of complex 1 were computed using all of the methods and choose the most appropriate way to discuss. Hirshfeld surface analysis was also executed to understand the role of weak interactions such as H⋯H, C⋯H, C-H⋯π, and vdW interactions, which play a significant role in the crystal environment’s stability. Moreover, the luminescence results at room temperature show that complex 1 gives a more intense emission band positioned at 465 nm upon excitation at 330 nm makes it a suitable candidate for the building of photoluminescent material.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of novel Cu(II) complex containing zonisamide drug: DNA interaction by multi spectroscopic and molecular docking methods

In this study, the Cu(II) complex with Zonisamide (ZNS) and 1, 10-Phenanthroline (Phen) ligands as an anticancer metallodrug was synthesized and characterized successfully by FT-IR, mass spectrometry, TGA, XPS, AAS, CHNSO, magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity. The interaction of Cu(II) complex with DNA was explored through a multi-spectroscopic approach such as fluorescence, UV-vis spectrophotometry, CD spectroscopy, and viscosity measurements. Molecular docking simulation was carried out to gain a deeper insight into the target site of DNA which interacted with the mentioned complex. The competitive binding tests with Hoechst 33258 showed that [CuCl₂(ZNS)(Phen)EtOH].H₂O can bind to the groove site of DNA. The calculated thermodynamic parameters, ΔS° = +201.15 J mol^-1K^-1 and ΔH° = +41.32 kJ mol^-1 confirm that the hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bonding play an essential role in the binding process. The experimental and molecular modeling results demonstrate that the Cu(II) complex binds to DNA through major groove binding. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxic effects of [CuCl₂(ZNS)(Phen)EtOH].H₂O against B92 cancer cell lines showed better activity in Cu(II) complex in comparison to free ZNS. Therefore, [CuCl₂(ZNS)(Phen)EtOH].H₂O can open a new horizon in the treatment of glioma cancer by ZNS metallodrugs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Studies on the Interaction of [SnMe2Cl2(bu2bpy)] Complex with ct-DNA Using Multispectroscopic, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Molecular Docking

The interaction of SnMe₂Cl₂(bu₂bpy)complex with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) has been explored following, using spectroscopic methods, viscosity measurements, Atomic force microscopy, Thermal denaturation and Molecular docking. It was found that Sn(IV) complex could bind with DNA via intercalation mode as evidenced by hyperchromism and bathochromic in UV-Vis spectrum; these spectral characteristics suggest that the Sn(IV) complex interacts with DNA most likely through a mode that involves a stacking interaction between the aromatic chromophore and the base pairs of DNA. In addition, the fluorescence emission spectra of intercalated methylene blue (MB) with increasing concentrations of SnMe₂Cl₂(bu₂bpy) represented a significant increase of MB intensity as to release MB from MB-DNA system. Positive values of ΔH and ΔS imply that the complex is bound to ct-DNA mainly via the hydrophobic attraction. Large complexes contain the DNA chains with an average size of 859 nm were observed by using AFM for Sn(IV) Complex-DNA. The Fourier transform infrared study showed a major interaction of Sn(IV) complex with G-C and A-T base pairs and a minor perturbation of the backbone PO₂ group. Addition of the Sn(IV)complex results in a noticeable rise in the Tm of DNA. In addition, the results of viscosity measurements suggest that SnMe₂Cl₂(bu₂bpy) complex may bind with the classical intercalative mode. From spectroscopic and hydrodynamic studies, it has been found that Sn(IV)complex interacts with DNA by intercalation mode. Optimized docked model of DNA-complex mixture confirmed the experimental results.