Bioactive ruthenium(II)-Schiff base complexes: a novel paradigm for concurrent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer interventions

A series of ruthenium metal (II) complexes incorporating a Schiff base ligand, PMDP, were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis revealed distinct coordination modes of PMDP in complex-1 and complex-2. Specifically, complex-1, engaging two azomethine nitrogen atoms, whereas it exhibited a tetradentate coordination mode in complex-2, involving two azomethine nitrogen atoms and two negatively charged oxygen atoms with PMDP. The antioxidant activity of the complexes was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, demonstrating potent antioxidant potential. In vitro antibacterial efficacy of the compounds was tested against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, revealing remarkable activity against Gram-positive strains. In addition to, the anticancer activity of the contrive complexes was evaluated against MCF-7 and HT-29 cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. All the complexes exhibiting superior biotic doings than free PMDP. Complex-1 demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells, with 57.25% cell growth inhibition. The results indicate that contrive complexes may serve as promising candidates for the development of novel antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer agents.