Copper(II) Complexes with Tetradentate Piperazine-Based Ligands: DNA Cleavage and Cytotoxicity

Five-coordinate Cu(II) complexes, [Cu(L-n)X]ClO4/PF6, where L-n = piperazine ligands bearing two pyridyl arms and X = ClO4- for L-n = L-1 (1-ClO4), L-2 (2-ClO4), L-3 (3-ClO4), and L-6 (6-ClO4) as well as [Cu(L-n)Cl]PF6 for L-n = L-1 (1-Cl), L-4 (4-Cl), and L-5 (5-Cl) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of the last two complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. In aqueous acetonitrile solutions, molar conductivity measurements and UV-VIS spectrophotometric titrations of the complexes revealed the hydrolysis of the complexes to [Cu(L-n)(H2O)](2+) species. The biological activity of the Cu(II) complexes with respect to DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity was investigated. At micromolar concentration within 2 h and pH 7.4, DNA cleavage rate decreased in the order: 1-Cl approximate to 1-ClO4 > 3-ClO4 >= 2-ClO4 with cleavage enhancements of up to 23 million. Complexes 4-Cl, 5-Cl, and 6-ClO4 were inactive. In order to elucidate the cleavage mechanism, the cleavage of bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenching studies were conducted. The mechanistic pathway of DNA cleavage depends on the ligand's skeleton: while an oxidative pathway was preferable for 1-Cl/1-ClO4, DNA cleavage by 2-ClO4 and 3-ClO4 predominantly proceeds via a hydrolytic mechanism. Complexes 1-ClO4, 3-ClO4, and 5-Cl were found to be cytotoxic against A2780 cells (IC50 30-40 mu M). In fibroblasts, the IC50 value was much higher for 3-ClO4 with no toxic effect.

Automated summary

The study investigated the synthesis and properties of several five-coordinate Cu(II) complexes and their effects on DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity. Different complexes showed varying levels of activity in DNA cleavage, with 1-ClO4, 3-ClO4, and 5-Cl exhibiting cytotoxicity against A2780 cells.