Synthesis, characterization, DNA interaction, antioxidant and anticancer activity of new ruthenium(II) complexes of thiosemicarbazone/semicarbazone bearing 9,10-phenanthrenequinone

•New series of ruthenium(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized.•Complexes bind with DNA through non-intercalation.•They efficiently cleaved the pBR 322 DNA.•Complexes possess good antioxidant properties.•They showed better cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells than in skin cancer cells.

A new series of octahedral ruthenium(II) complexes supported by tridentate ligands derived from phenanthrenequinone and derivatives of thiosemicarbazide/semicarbazide and other co-ligands have been synthesized and characterized. DNA binding experiments indicated that ruthenium(II) complexes can interact with DNA through non-intercalation and the apparent binding constant value (Kb) of [RuCl(CO)(PPh3)(L3)] (3) at room temperature was calculated to be 2.27 × 103 M−1. The DNA cleavage studies showed that the complexes have better cleavage of pBR 322 DNA. Antioxidative activity proved that the complexes have significant radical scavenging activity against free radicals. Cytotoxic activities showed that the ruthenium(II) complexes exhibited more effective cytotoxic activity against selected cancer cells.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide