DNA/RNA binding and anticancer/antimicrobial activities of polymer–copper(II) complexes

Water soluble polymer–copper(II) complexes with various degrees of coordination in the polymer chain were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–visible and EPR spectra. The DNA/RNA binding behavior of these polymer–copper(II) complexes was examined by UV–visible absorption, emission and circular dichroism spectroscopic methods, and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The binding of the polymer–copper(II) complexes with DNA/RNA was mainly through intercalation but some amount of electrostatic interaction was also observed. This binding capacity increased with the degree of coordination of the complexes. The polymer–copper(II) complex having the highest degree of coordination was subjected to analysis of cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties. The cytotoxicity study indicated that the polymer–copper(II) complexes affected the viability of MCF-7 mammary carcinoma cells, and the cells responded to the treatment with mostly through apoptosis although a few cells succumbed to necrosis. The antimicrobial screening showed activity against some human pathogens.

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► Synthesis of polymer–copper(II) complexes with different degree of coordination.
► Characterized by physico-chemical methods and various spectroscopic techniques.
► The interaction of nucleic acids with these complexes has been performed.
► Antibacterial screening of the complexes proved them potent growth inhibitors.
► Our complex may act as good anticancer agents.