Gold(III) complexes with hydroxyquinoline, aminoquinoline and quinoline ligands: Synthesis, cytotoxicity, DNA and protein binding studies

In this article, we report on the synthesis and the chemical and biological characterization of novel gold(III) complexes based on hydroxyl- or amino-quinoline ligands that are evaluated as prospective anticancer agents. To gain further insight into their reactivity and possible mode of action, their interactions with model proteins and standard nucleic acid molecules were investigated. [Display omitted] •Synthesis of Au(III) complexes with hydroxyl-, amino-quinoline and quinoline ligands•Cytotoxic actions were evaluated in 4 human tumor cell lines of solid tumor origins.•Interaction studies with model proteins and plasmidic DNA were carried out.•The complexes showed weak interaction with pBR322 DNA by gel electrophoresis.•Different complex-cytochrome c adducts were detected.