In vitro biological activity of copper(II) complexes with NSAIDs and nicotinamide: characterization, DNA- and BSA-interaction study and anticancer activity

Through the reaction of copper(II) acetate with nicotinamide (pyridine-3-carboxylic acid amide, niacinamide) and some derivatives of N-phenylanthranilic acid (fenamates), seven new mixed-ligand copper(II) compounds were isolated: [Cu(tolf-O)(tolf-O,O')nia-N)(2)(EtOH)] (1), [Cu(tolf-O)(tolf-O,O')(nia-N)(2)(MeOH)] (2), [Cu(meclfO)(meclf-O,O')(nia-N)(2)(EtOH)] (3), [Cu(meclf-O)(meclf-O,O')(nia-N)(2)(MeOH)] (4), [Cu(meclf-O)(meclf-O,O') (nia-N)(2)(ACN)] (5), [Cu(mef-O)(mef-O,O')(nia-N)(2)(EtOH)] (6) and [Cu(mef-O)(mef-O,O')(nia-N)(2)(ACN)] (7) containing a molecule of relevant solvent as ligand in their primary crystal structure (tolf = tolfenamate, meclf = meclofenamate, mef = mefenamate, nia = nicotinamide, EtOH = ethanol, MeOH = methanol, ACN = acetonitrile). The structures of the complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The intermolecular interactions were studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis. The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy and their redox properties were determined by cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of the complexes with bovine serum albumin was studied by fluorescence emission spectroscopy and the albumin-binding constants of the compounds were calculated. The interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA was monitored by diverse techniques (UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, viscosity measurements) suggesting intercalation as the most possible mode of binding. DNA-competitive studies of the complexes with ethidium bromide were monitored by fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The cytotoxic effects of copper(II) complexes on lung carcinoma cells and healthy cells were determined by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] colorimetric technique.

Automated summary

In this study, seven new mixed-ligand copper(II) compounds were synthesized and characterized using various techniques. The interactions of these complexes with bovine serum albumin and calf-thymus DNA were investigated, and their cytotoxic effects on lung carcinoma cells were determined.