Synthesis, nucleic acid binding and cytotoxicity of polyethyleneimine-copper(II) complexes containing 1,10-phenanthroline and l-valine

The polymer–copper(II) complex samples, [Cu(phen)(l-Val) BPEI]Cl·H2O, with varying degrees of coordination in the polymer chain, were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The binding of these complex samples with both DNA and RNA has been investigated. The experimental results indicate that the polyethyleneimine–copper(II) complex samples bind with DNA and RNA mostly through surface binding; but hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions are also present. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of a sample of polymer–copper(II) complex with higher degree of coordination against different cancer cell lines proved that the complex exhibited cytotoxic specificity and significant cancer cell inhibition rate.

Graphical abstractThe polymer–copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)(l-Val)(BPEI)]Cl.H2O, bind with DNA and RNA mostly through surface binding) but hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions are also present. The complex shows cytotoxic activity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Study concerns with the interaction between nucleic acids and polymer-anchored copper(II) complexes. ► The binding seems to be strong compared to ordinary metal complexes of similar nature based on results of our studies. ► The binding increases with increase in percentage of metal complex units in the polymer chain. ► Our polymer-anchored complex active towards some cancer cell lines.