Docking of imines, cytotoxicity and DNA interaction studies of metal(II) complexes

A new series of eight transition metal [Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Ni(II)] complexes of Schiff bases were synthesised from pyridine/thiophene carbaldehyde and 2,2-diphenylethanamine and further characterized. The investigation of these complexes confirmed that the stability of metal–ligands coordination through N, N & N, S atoms as bidendate chelates. Docking studies showed that the system binds strongly with DNA. The metal/ligands ratio of 1:2 was proposed to afford square planar and octahedral geometry for the complexes. Further, the studies on DNA binding & cleavage characteristics of the ligands & complexes using spectral and electrophoresis techniques evidenced the groove binding property of DNA with metal complexes. The synthesized complexes also found to induce cytotoxicity in cell lines.