Indole-derived water-soluble N, O bi-dentate ligand-based mononuclear transition metal complexes: in silico and in vitro biological screening, molecular docking and macromolecule interaction studies

Abstract

A novel tryptophan-derived Schiff base ligand (potassium (E)-2-((4-chloro-3-nitrobenzylidene)amino)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoate) and a series of its transition metal complexes of the types [ML₂] and [ML(1,10-phen)₂]Cl where M = Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) were prepared. They were analyzed by various spectral and physicochemical studies. The XRD data were also used to determine the average lattice parameters and crystalline size of the compounds. All the synthesized compounds were tested against a series of five bacterial and fungal strains. The obtained results showed that the biological activity of free ligand was increased on complexation. PASS online software predicts the various biological activities of ligand such as enzyme inhibitor, antiviral, analgesic and antituberculosis. The in silico theoretical prediction of synthesized compounds is also deliberated by Swiss ADME predictor which gives the properties of molecular hydrophobicity (log P), topological polar surface area (TPSA) and oral bioavailability score. The binding energy of the docked molecule with macromolecules 1BNA and 3EQM is also determined by using Hex 8.0 software. The ligand has the least binding energy score which signifies that the potential of binding is greater in the receptor. Moreover, the interactions of complexes with DNA have been explored by electronic absorption titration, fluorescence emission titration, viscosity measurements and gel electrophoresis.

Highlights

• Synthesis and characterization of novel indole-derived compounds.

• X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate average crystalline size of the compounds.

• Metal complexes act as good metallointercalators.

• Metal complexes show higher antimicrobial activity compared to ligand.

• Prediction of biological activities of the ligand by PASS online software.

• Drug-like nature and bioavailability of synthesized compounds predicted by Swiss ADME predictor

• Docking of the synthesized compounds with 1BNA and 3EQM using HEX 8.0 software.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Keywords:

• Indole-derived complexes
• powder XRD
• antimicrobial activity
• DNA interaction
• Swiss ADME
• molecular docking

Acknowledgments

The authors express their sincere thanks to the College Managing Board, Principal and Head of the Department of Chemistry, VHNSN College (Autonomous), Virudhunagar, for their constant support and providing needed research facilities. They also express their gratitude to KARE, CECRI – Karaikudi, CDRI, Lucknow, and IIT Chennai, India, for providing instrumental facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.