Biomolecular interaction and cytotoxicity of ruthenium(III) benzothiazole substituted ferrocenyl thiosemicarbazone complexes

Abstract

In our search for new anticancer and DNA interacting agents, ruthenium(III) thiosemicarbazone complexes of the type [RuCl2(EPh3)L] (where E=P/As; L=monobasic tridentate thiosemicarbazone ligand) were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. All the ligands and complexes exhibit noticeable growth inhibition against fungal species and bacterial species. The interactions of these complexes with biomolecule, CT-DNA were investigated by absorbance measurement and gel electrophoresis. Absorption spectral study indicates that the ruthenium(III) complexes have an intrinsic binding constant in the range of 1.0–3.6×104M−1. The complexes exhibit a remarkable DNA cleavage activity with CT-DNA in the presence of hydroxyl radical. The cleavage activity was carried out with the variation of the concentration of complexes and incubation time. Further, an in vitro cytotoxicity study of the complexes exhibited antitumor activity against the HeLa tumor cell line. This research may provide valuable insight into the interactions of metal complexes with DNA and cytotoxicity, knowledge that is an excellent back drop for the rational design of promising drugs.