Synthesis, characterization and DNA cleavage activity of nickel(II) adducts with aromatic heterocyclic bases

Mixed ligand complexes of nickel(II) with 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone oxime (DAPO) and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone oxime (DBPO) as primary ligands, and pyridine (Py) and imidazole (Im) as secondary ligands were synthesized and characterized by molar conductivity, magnetic moments measurements, as well as by electronic, IR, and H-1-NMR spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies were performed by cyclic voltammetry. The active signals are assignable to the Ni-III/II and Ni-II/I redox couples. The binding interactions between the metal complexes and calf thymus DNA were investigated by absorption and thermal denaturation. The cleavage activity of the complexes was determined using double-stranded pBR322 circular plasmid DNA by gel electrophoresis. All complexes showed increased nuclease activity in the presence of the oxidant H2O2. The nuclease activities of mixed ligand complexes were compared with those of the parent copper(II) complexes.