Interaction with DNA and different effect on the nucleus of cancer cells for copper(II) complexes of N-benzyl di(pyridylmethyl)amine

Three new copper(II) complexes of N-benzyl di(pyridylmethyl)amine (phdpa) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The interaction between CT-DNA and the complexes was studied by UV and fluorescence titration methods. It was found that the complex [(phdpa)Cu(H(2)O)Ac)](Ac), with the non-planar aromatic heterocyclic ring ligand (phdpa), showed good anticancer properties and could cause the fragmentation of the nucleus, although its interaction with CT-DNA was weaker than that of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) -based copper(II) complexes. The anticancer activities of copper(II) complexes with phdpa and phen based ligands are correlated to their binding constants with DNA, but phen-based copper(II) complexes did not cause the nucleus fragmentation of HeLa cells. [(phdpa)Cu(H(2)O)Ac)](Ac) can noticeably decrease the oxygen content of a culture solution and of HeLa cells, which make it a new nucleus and oxygen related anticancer copper(II) complex. Information obtained here would be helpful in the design of new antitumor complexes in oxidative therapy.