Syntheses, characterization, interaction with DNA, cytotoxic and apoptosis of two novel complexes of Zn(II) and Mn(II) with 2-methyl-1H-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid

• The two complexes exhibited good cytotoxic activity against cell tested.
• Physical measurements revealed the intercalating interaction.
• Intermolecular π–π stacking interaction brings better stability of structures.

Two new complexes, Zn(L)2(H2O)2 (1) and Mn(L)2(H2O)2 (2) [L = 2-Methyl-1H-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Intramolecular weak interactions, such as hydrogen-bond and intermolecular interactions were presented in the complexes. The activities of the complexes binding with DNA, and cytotoxic activities were studied. The binding of complexes with fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA) was investigated by fluorescence spectra. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to cleave the pBR322 plasmid DNA. The cytotoxic activities of the complexes were tested against the KB cell line. Cytotoxic activity studies showed the two complexes exhibited significant cancer cell inhibitory rate. The most active compound was complex 1 with IC50 and CC50value of 36.5, 429, with the selectivity index (SI = 11.75) among the tested compounds.

Complexes intercalating to base pairs of DNA.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide