Synthesis and Spectral Characterization of Novel Schiff Base and Fe(II) Complex: Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Anticancer Properties

Abstract

Schiff’s bases are a type of molecule found in medical chemistry that has been shown to have substantial antibacterial and chemotherapeutic properties. On the other hand, Ortho phenylenediamine is a broad category of synthetic chemical with various pharmacological properties, including anticancer potential. Their antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties, in particular, make the compounds appealing for future derivatization and screening as potential therapeutic agents. Accordingly, this study aimed to synthesize a novel Schiff’s base-Fe(II) complex using the self-assembly method for in-vitro studies due to its potential drug properties for therapeutic intervention in various diseases. The as-synthesized Fe(II) complex was characterized by spectral and elemental techniques. The obtained data from the elemental analysis was in good agreement with the general formula MLCln (L= Ligand complexed with Fe(II) via carbonyl group, the nitrogen of hydrazine group, and oxygen). Additionally, Fe(II) complexes with Schiff’s bases were shown to have gastro-protective, antiproliferative, and antibacterial properties. The Schiff’s base and its Fe(II) complex were screened against gram-positive (B.subtilies), gram-negative (E.coli) as well as A.niger to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal properties, respectively. The obtained results demonstrated that the Schiff’s base –Fe(II) complex has higher antibacterial and antifungal activity than Schiff’s base ligand. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies were performed for Schiff base and its Fe(II) complex against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. The findings of this study recommended new insights in the field of medicine to consider Schiff’s base-Fe(II) complex as a potential candidate for the antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer agent.