Spectroscopic Study of DNA Hydrolysis, DNA Intercalative, and Electrostatic Interaction Activity Exerted by Drug Based Coordination Compounds

Our work emphasized on synthesizing and characterizing neutral mononuclear copper(II) complexes with second generation fluoroquinolone drug ciprofloxacin (CFL) and some bipyridine derivatives (An) of type [Cu(CFL)(An)Cl]·2H2O. The DNA binding free energies were evaluated by studying the effect of salt concentrations on DNA binding. DNA interactions were investigated by using DNA melting temperature studies, viscosity measurements, absorption titration, and gel electrophoresis experiments. Also superoxide dismutase (SOD)‐like activity (IC50 values) and antibacterial activity of metal complexes were studied. To validate the proper mechanistic pathway for plasmid DNA cleavage, gel electrophoresis experiments were carried out in presence of radical scavenging agents. The bactericidal activity of metal complexes was evaluated in terms of colony forming unit.