Synthesis, structure, computational modeling and biological activity of two new Casiopeinas® complexes and their nanoparticles

This study was conducted to prepare new complexes and their metal-based nanodrugs in order to reduce the growth of human carcinoma cell lines. For this purpose, an extensive study was performed. First, the mixed-chelate Cu(II) complexes Casiopeinas (R) ([Cu(TTA)(phen)(C1O(4))] 1 and [Cu(TTA)(phen)(N-3)Cu(TTA)(phen)H2O] (C1O(4)).H2O 2 (TTA = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butanedione) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, diffuse reflection spectroscopy and elemental analysis studies. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibited tetragonal pyramidal geometry. In the following, nanoparticles (NPs) of complexes 3 and 4 with the average size of 81 and 33 nm, respectively, were prepared by an ultrasonic process. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of samples 3 and 4 showed that the morphologies of the obtained materials are rod and sphere, respectively. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of complexes and nanoparticles was investigated against MKN-45 cell lines. The cell proliferation was inhibited for all compounds and nanocompounds in a dose-dependent manner 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 on MKN-45 cells. Finally, docking calculations were performed to describe the mode of binding to DNA of these complexes. Docking simulations suggested that the compounds bind in the minor groove and preferentially bind to A-T base pair regions. Both complexes also interacted with DNA through one hydrogen-bond.