Abstract
Due to the versatile bioreactivity of aroyldihydrazone complexes as cost-effective alternatives with different transition metals, two novel bimetallic homo-complexes (VOLph and CuLph) were prepared via the coordination of a terephthalic dihydrazone diisatin ligand (H(2)Lph) with VO(2+) and Cu(2+) ions, respectively. The structure elucidation was confirmed by alternative spectral methods. Biologically, the H(2)Lph ligand and its MLph complexes (M(2+) = VO(2+) or Cu(2+)) were investigated as antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Their biochemical activities towards ctDNA (calf thymus DNA) were estimated using measurable titration viscometrically and spectrophotometrically, as well as the gel electrophoresis technique. The growth inhibition of both VOLph and CuLph complexes against microbial and cancer cells was measured, and the inhibition action, MIC, and IC(50) were compared to the inhibition action of the free H(2)Lph ligand. Both VOLph and CuLph showed remarkable interactive binding with ctDNA compared to the free ligand H(2)Lph, based on K(b) = 16.31, 16.04 and 12.41 × 10(7) mol(-1) dm(3) and ΔGb≠ = 47.11, -46.89, and -44.05 kJ mol(-1) for VOLph, CuLph, and H(2)Lph, respectively, due to the central metal ion (V(IV)O and Cu(II) ions). VOLph (with a higher oxidation state of the V(4+) ion and oxo-ligand) exhibited enhanced interaction with the ctDNA molecule compared to CuLph, demonstrating the role and type of the central metal ion within the performed electronegative and electrophilic characters.