Interaction of a copper(II)–Schiff base complexes with calf thymus DNA and their antimicrobial activity

The interaction of a copper complexes containing Schiff bases with calf thymus (CT) DNA was investigated by spectroscopic methods. UV–vis, fluorescence and CD spectroscopies were conducted to assess their binding ability with CT DNA. The binding constants K have been estimated from 0.8 to 9.1 × 104 M−1. The percentage of hypochromism is found to be over 70% (from spectral titrations). The results showed that the copper(II) complexes could bind to DNA with an intercalative mode. Synergic action of Cu(II) complexes with ascorbic acid against Candida albicans induced the generation of free radicals and increased (more than 60 times) antimicrobial effect of these complexes.