Cytotoxic gallium complexes containing thiosemicarbazones derived from 9-anthraldehyde: Molecular docking with biomolecules

Abstract

We have synthesized a trio of gallium complexes bearing 9-anthraldehyde thiosemicarbazones. The complexes were assessed for their anticancer activity and their biophysical reactivity was also investigated. The three complexes displayed good cytotoxic profiles against two human colon cancer cell lines, HCT-116 and Caco-2. The IC50 ranged from 4.7 to 44.1 μM with the complex having an unsubstituted amino group on the thiosemicarbazone being the most active. This particular complex also showed a high therapeutic index. All three complexes bind strongly to DNA via intercalation with binding constants ranging from 7.46 × 104 M−1 to 3.25 × 105 M−1. The strength of the binding cannot be directly related to the level of anticancer activity. The complexes also bind strongly to human serum albumin with binding constants on the order of 104–105 M−1 as well. The complexes act as chemical nucleases as evidenced by their ability to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA. The binding constants along with the cleavage results may suggest that the extent of DNA interaction is not directly correlated with anticancer activity. The results of docking studies with DNA, ribonucleotide reductase and human serum albumin, however showed that the complex with the best biological activity had the largest binding constant to DNA.