Interaction with DNA and different effect on the nucleus of cancer cells for copper(ii) complexes of N-benzyl di(pyridylmethyl)amine

Abstract

Three new copper(II) complexes of N-benzyl di(pyridylmethyl)amine (phdpa) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The interaction between CT–DNA and the complexes was studied by UV and fluorescence titration methods. It was found that the complex [(phdpa)Cu(H₂O)Ac)](Ac), with the non-planar aromatic heterocyclic ring ligand (phdpa), showed good anticancer properties and could cause the fragmentation of the nucleus, although its interaction with CT–DNA was weaker than that of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) -based copper(II) complexes. The anticancer activities of copper(II) complexes with phdpa and phen based ligands are correlated to their binding constants with DNA, but phen-based copper(II) complexes did not cause the nucleus fragmentation of HeLa cells. [(phdpa)Cu(H₂O)Ac)](Ac) can noticeably decrease the oxygen content of a culture solution and of HeLa cells, which make it a new nucleus and oxygen related anticancer copper(II) complex. Information obtained here would be helpful in the design of new antitumor complexes in oxidative therapy.