Synthesis, spectral characterization, antioxidant, anticancer in vitro, and DNA cleavage studies of a series of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing Schiff base ligands

Abstract

Ruthenium(II) complexes with 2-acetylpyridine-thiosemicarbazones (L¹–L⁴) were synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectral (FT-IR, UV–vis, NMR [¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P], and ESI-Mass) methods. Systematic biological investigations, free radical scavenging, anticancer activities, and DNA cleavage studies, were carried out for the complexes. Antioxidant studies showed that the complexes have significant antioxidant activity against DPPH, hydroxyl, nitric oxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide assay. The in vitro cytotoxicity of complexes against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line was assayed showing high cytotoxicity with low IC₅₀ values indicating their efficiency in destroying the cancer cells even at very low concentrations. The DNA cleavage studies showed that the complexes efficiently cleaved DNA.

Keywords:

• Ruthenium(II) complexes
• Spectral studies
• Antioxidant
• Anticancer activity
• DNA cleavage

Acknowledgement

We are thankful to the IISC Bangalore, STIC Cochin, SAIF Panjab University, Chandigarh, KMCH Coimbatore, and Biogenics Research and Training Center in Biotechnology, Hubli, India for providing instrumental facilities.