Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, DNA and BSA binding, molecular docking and in vitro anticancer activities of a mononuclear dioxido-uranium(VI) complex derived from a tridentate ONO aroylhydrazone

Abstract

A mononuclear dioxido-uranium(IV) complex [UO2(L)(DMSO)2], was prepared from the reaction of (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide [HL] with UO2(OAc)2·2H2O in DMSO. The obtained complex was fully characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of [UO2(L)(DMSO)2] revealed that U(VI) ion has been coordinated by ONO donor atoms of the dianionic ligand (L2−), oxo groups and two DMSO molecules in a pentagonal bipyramid geometry. In addition, interactions of the complex with salmon sperm DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were thoroughly investigated using UV–vis absorption, voltammetry and molecular docking methods. The experimental studies showed an intercalative mode of interaction between the complex and DNA. Experiments on BSA interaction indicated a change in the polarity of the environment surrounded the complex as a result of the interaction between BSA and [UO2(L)(DMSO)2]. Finally, MTT assays indicated that the U(VI) complex had excellent cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cell lines of MCF-7, HPG-2, and HT-29, with IC50 values of 8.4, 10.6 and 10.0μM, respectively.