Bioinspired Polymer Metal Complex Conjugates: [Co(NN)2Cl]2+ and [Cu(NN)2]2+ Moieties Graft in the Same Branched Polyethyleneimine (BPEI)—Synthesis, Biophysical and Biological Studies

Abstract

The hydrophilic pendant type polymer bound (Co3+ and Cu2+) complexes conjugates were synthesised and characterized by spectro-chemical analysis. The key features of these complexes are highly stable, redox active and show a quasi-reversible in the cyclic voltammetry response. The molecular interaction of these complexes with calf-thymus DNA were investigated using spectroscopic techniques such as absorption, emission, cyclic voltammetry and circular dichroism. The antimicrobial susceptibility of few bacterial and fungi strains were determined by the zone of inhibition method. The cell proliferation and mode of cell death induced by polymer-metal complexes in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell were determined using activated WST-1 assay, caspase-3 and propidium iodide labeling assay adopting flow cytometry. Left Mode of cell death dual apoptotic pathways of the Co–BPEI–Cu injected cells. Right: photographic image of the Co–BPEI–Cu 1–4 dissolved in water.