Synthesis, characterization, DNA/HSA interactions and in vitro cytotoxic activities of two novel water-soluble copper(II) complexes with 1,3,5-triazine derivative ligand and amino acids

Two new water-soluble copper(II) complexes of 6-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine with L-Arginine/L-Methionine were synthesized. The spectroscopic, calorimetric and molecular docking studies indicated that the complexes bound to DNA by a groove binding mode and preferred to enter the hydrophobic cavity of subdomain IIA of HSA. The complexes showed enhanced cytotoxicities against A549, PC-3 and HeLa cell lines compared with Cu(ClO4)2 or pzta and complex 2 was specific to A549 with smallest IC50 value.269