Cytotoxic, cell apoptosis and DNA binding properties of some ternary Cu(II) complexes with a reduced Schiff base ligand and heterocyclic bases

Three mononuclear mixed ligand Cu(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L)(DTHA)]H2O⋅CH3OH, where H2DTHA is 2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylamino) acetic acid and the co-ligand L is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline (dpq, 2) dipyrido [3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz, 3) have been isolated and characterized. Absorption and emission spectral studies and viscosity measurements indicated that 3 interacts with DNA more strongly than all of the other complexes through intercalation mode. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies on the tested four cell line indicated that they can efficiently inhibit the cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner, and the Hoechst 33258 staining assays have also been employed in finding the extent of DNA damage.