Synthesis, characterization, DNA interaction, apoptosis and molecular docking of Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes with endo-norbornene-cis-5,6-dicarboxylic acid

Two new novel complexes, [Cu-4(Endc)(4)(phen)(4)]center dot 7(H2O)center dot 2(O) and [Mn-2(Endc)(2)(phen)(2)(H2O)(2)]center dot(H2O) (phen =1,10-phenanthroline, H(2)Endc=endo-norbornene-cis-5,6-dicarboxylic acid), were synthesized and structurally characterized using IR and H-1 NMR spectroscopies, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. Their reactivity with calf thymus DNA and HeLa cell DNA was measured using UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The results indicated that these complexes can bind to DNA with different binding affinity. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA. Apoptotic study showed that the complexes exhibit significant cancer cell inhibitory rates. Eventually, the complexes can suitably dock with a special DNA (PDB ID: 1AIO).