Metal Complexes of Uracil Derivatives with Cytotoxicity and Superoxide Scavenging Activity

5-Substituted uracils were reported to be important core structure of diverse therapeutics. Herein, novel mixed ligand transition metal (Mn, Cu, Ni) complexes of 5-iodouracil (5Iu) with 8-hydroxyquinoline or 8HQ (1-3) and 5-nitrouracil (5Nu) with 8HQ (4-6) have been synthesized. The metal complexes 1-6 exert significant cytotoxicity against HepG2, A-549, HuCCA-1 and MOLT-3 cell lines. Particularly, the cytotoxicities of tested complexes against HepG2 cells show their IC50 values lower than the reference drug. Cu complex of 5Nu (5Nu-Cu-8HQ, 5) is the most potent and promising cytotoxic compound. Mn complex of 5Iu (5Iu-Mn-8HQ, 1) is shown to be the most potent antioxidant. This finding reveals the application of using simple and commercially available bioactive ligands like 5Iu, 5Nu and 8HQ for the design and construction of new lead compounds with significant and promising bioactivities.