DNA interaction studies of a novel Cu(II) complex as an intercalator containing curcumin and bathophenanthroline ligands

•A new copper(II) complex; [Cu(Cur)(DIP)]+2 in which Cur = curcumin, DIP = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; was synthesized.•The experimental results showed that the Cu(II) complex bound to DNA by an intercalative mode of binding.•Cleavage was occurred by copper(II) complex via hydrolytic mechanism.

A new copper(II) complex; [Cu(Cur)(DIP)]+2 in which Cur = curcumin and DIP = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, was synthesized and characterized using different physico-chemical methods. Binding interaction of this complex with calf thymus (CT-DNA) has been investigated by emission, absorption, circular dichroism, viscosity, and differential pulse voltammetry and fluorescence techniques. The complex displays significant binding properties to the CT-DNA. In fluorimeteric studies, the binding mode of the complex with CT-DNA was investigated using methylene blue as a fluorescence probe. Fluorescence of methylene blue–DNA solution increased in the presence of increasing amounts of the complex. It was found that the complex is able to displace the methylene blue completely. This indicate intercalation of the complex between base pairs of DNA. The cleavage of plasmid DNA by the complex was also studied. We found that the copper(II) complex can cleave puC18 DNA. Furthermore, mentioned complex induces detectable changes in the CD spectrum of CT-DNA, a decrease in absorption spectrum, and an increase in its viscosity. All of the experimental results showed that the Cu(II) complex bound to DNA by an intercalative mode of binding.

Graphical abstractA new copper(II) complex; [Cu(Cur)(DIP)]+2 in which Cur = curcumin, DIP = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; was synthesized and characterized. Binding interaction of this complex with calf thymus (CT) DNA has been investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide