Anticancer, in vitro cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties of a Schiff base ligand, 3-((2-(-(1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene)amino)ethyl)imino)-N-(p-tolyl)butanamide, and its metal complexes

Abstract

A Schiff base ligand, 3-((2-(-(1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene)amino)ethyl)imino)-N-(p-tolyl)butanamide, was synthesized by the condensation of o-hydroxylacetophenone, p-methylacetoacetanilide and 1,2-ethylenediamine and its V(IV)O, Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes have been prepared. The ligand and metal complexes were characterized analytically and spectroscopically by elemental analysis, HRMS, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies and molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ligand and its metal complexes have been evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cell line by Trypan blue exclusion method. In vivo anticancer studies using the Cu(II) complex in Swiss Albino female mice showed its potential efficiency against EAC-induced ascites tumor and DLA-induced solid tumor with an IC₅₀ value of 46 µg/mL. Also, the complexes were tested for antibacterial and antifungal properties against some Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus criceti, and Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Klebsilla pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some fungi, Pencillium expansum, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger. The complexes exhibited potential antibacterial and antifungal properties than the ligand, H₂L, and in some cases even more than those of standard antibacterial and antifungal drugs.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Schiff base complexes
• DLA and EAC Cell lines
• cytotoxicity and anticancer studies
• antitumor studies
• antibacterial and antifungal activities

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Mrs. Reena V.N., Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Government College Madappally, Vadakara-Kozhikode and Vaidehi. E.K, Research Scholar, University of Calicut. The author expresses gratitude to the Amala Cancer Research Centre, Trissur, Kerala-India for the help of cytotoxicity and anticancer studies of synthesized substances.

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest was declared by the author.

Additional information

Funding

No funding agency available.