In vitro cytotoxicity, DNA cleavage and SOD-mimic activity of copper(II) mixed-ligand quinolinonato complexes

► Cu(II) complexes with 2-phenyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolinone (HL) are reported. ► [Cu(qui)(L)]BF4·xH2O (x = 0-1) (1-6) were prepared and characterized. ► Promising in vitro cytotoxicity results against HOS and MCF7 were found. ► Effective DNA cleavage was observed. ► Moderate SOD-mimic activity was found.