Investigation of nuclease, proteolytic and antiproliferative effects of copper(II) complexes of thiophenylmethanamine derivatives

Abstract

Four coordinate copper(II) complexes 1, 2 and 3 of ligands based on thiophenemethylamine containing imidazole, benzimidazole and pyridine moiety have been synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 has also been crystallographically characterized. The three complexes bind to DNA non-intercalatively, though partial intercalation in the case of complex 2 cannot be ruled out. All the three complexes bring about hydroxyl radical mediated DNA cleavage in the presence of H₂O₂. Binding of the three copper(II) complexes to BSA lead to changes in the helicity of the protein. Among the three complexes, 2 and 3 are more effective in inhibiting the growth of cancerous MG63 cells than normal NIH3T3 cells. These two complexes promote apoptosis in MG 63 cells.