Synthesis of quinolines containing selenium and sulfur bioactive ligands and their Fe(III) complexes is described. Invitro antioxidant activity were evaluated against, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion radical, reducing power and hydroxyl radical (·HO). At different concentrations, (20-60 μg/mL) the total antioxidant activity of synthesized ligands showed 71, 75 and 83% and complexes showed 76, 85, 94% of inhibition. Where at the same concentration and experimental condition the standard antioxidant such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and α-tocopherol exhibited 94, 95 and 63% inhibitions on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion. In support to antioxidants, DNA cleavage investigation of complexes leads to protective effect on DNA cleavage. Hence, this study confirms ligands and their Fe(III)-chelator as antioxidants as well as protect against DNA cleavage.