Multifunctional bioactivity of the [Cu(en)(Im)2](ClO4)2 complex: Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anticancer effects

This study investigates the multifunctional bioactivity of the [Cu(en)(Im) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 complex, highlighting its antimicrobial and anticancer potential. The complex exhibited significant antibacterial activity, with zone of inhibition (ZOI) values ranging from 10 to 21 mm against clinically relevant pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Streptococcus mutans , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis , and Candida albicans . Notably, the ZOI for Escherichia coli reached 18 mm at 100 μL, comparable to chloramphenicol (17 mm), while its antifungal activity against Candida albicans (21 mm at 100 μL) approached that of fluconazole (29 mm). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis revealed statistically significant antimicrobial effects (p < 0.01) against Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis , and Candida albicans , with notable inhibition (p < 0.05) observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Streptococcus mutans , and Escherichia coli . The complex also exhibited strong antibiofilm activity, reducing biofilm biomass by 91 % at 0.1 mM. Furthermore, the MTT assay confirmed the dose-dependent cytotoxicity of the complex against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while selectivity index (SI) analysis showed an IC₅₀ of 243 μM for normal HGF cells and 197 μM for MCF-7 cells (SI = 1.23), suggesting only a slight preferential toxicity toward cancer cells, which remains limited compared to standard chemotherapeutics such as Cisplatin (SI = 0.91). These findings underscore the [Cu(en)(Im) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 complex as a promising antimicrobial and anticancer agent, warranting further structural optimization to enhance selectivity and therapeutic efficacy.