Two Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes derived from 5-(Pyrazol-1-yl)nicotinic acid: Crystal structure, DNA binding and anticancer studies

Two novel complexes [CuL2(H2O)(2)](n) (1), [(ZnL2)H2O](n) (2) (HL = 5-(Pyrazol-1-yl)nicotinic acid) were synthesized and their vitro biological activity was systematically studied. The ability of the complexes to bind to FS-DNA was measured by fluorescence spectroscopy, and the Stern-Volmer quenching values of complex 1 - 2 are 0.03904 and 0.09522. The cleavage behavior of agarose gel electrophoresis showed the ability of the complexes to cut pBR322 plasmid DNA. Both flow cytometry and inverted fluorescence microscope show that complex 1-2 has the ability to induce apoptosis on HeLa cells. The in vitro cytotoxicity of complex 1-2 against HeLa cells were evaluated by MTT assay. The above experimental results all show that complex 2 has high medicinal value and can be further studied to become a new clinical anticancer drug with therapeutic effect.

Automated summary

Experimental results from fluorescence spectroscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, and MTT assay show that complex 2 has high medicinal value and can potentially be developed into a new clinical anticancer drug.