DNA binding, DNA cleavage, and cellular imaging of a copper(II) complex based on curcumin

Abstract

Binding property between CT-DNA and a Cu(II) complex, namely CuL₂, where HL = 1,7-bis(4-butoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione, was determined by UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and viscosity measurements. The results showed that the binding of the complex with CT-DNA was through the intercalative mode and the binding constant (K_b) value was found to be 3.82 × 10⁴ M. DNA cleavage studies showed that CuL₂ exhibited effective cleavage activity on pBR322 plasmid DNA in absence of external agents. Additionally, cellular imaging studies also indicated that CuL₂ has a higher toxicity to MCF-7 cell lines compared with its corresponding ligand HL.