Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, DNA and BSA binding, molecular docking and in vitro anticancer activities of a mononuclear dioxido-uranium(VI) complex derived from a tridentate ONO aroylhydrazone

A mononuclear dioxido-uranium(IV) complex [UO2(L)(DMSO)(2)], was prepared from the reaction of (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide [HL] with UO2(OAc)(2)center dot 2H(2)O in DMSO. The obtained complex was fully characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of [UO2(L)(DMSO)(2)] revealed that U(VI) ion has been coordinated by ONO donor atoms of the dianionic ligand (L2-), oxo groups and two DMSO molecules in a pentagonal bipyramid geometry. In addition, interactions of the complex with salmon sperm DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were thoroughly investigated using UV-vis absorption, voltammetry and molecular docking methods. The experimental studies showed an intercalative mode of interaction between the complex and DNA. Experiments on BSA interaction indicated a change in the polarity of the environment surrounded the complex as a result of the interaction between BSA and [UO2(L)(DMSO)(2)]. Finally, MTT assays indicated that the U(VI) complex had excellent cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cell lines of MCF-7, HPG-2, and HT-29, with IC50 values of 8.4, 10.6 and 10.0 mu M, respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.