A New Schiff Base Coordinated Copper (II) Complex Induces Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity in Human Adrenocarcinoma Breast Cancer Cells

A new class of metal complexes of type M(X)2 [where M = Cu(II) X=1-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzilidene-4-phenylsemicarbazide) have been characterized by spectral techniques. In the visible range, the complexes exhibit a strong Metal to Ligand Charge transfer (MLCT) transition. The bonding through imine nitrogen and deprotonate phenolic oxygen is demonstrated by the ligands' reduced frequency shift (ν(C=N)) and absence of v(O–H) in the IR spectral measurements upon complexation with the metal atom. In their complexes, the Schiff bases exhibit the properties of monobasic tridentate ligands. The spectrum data show that the nitrogen atoms in azomethine and the phenolic oxygen serve as the ligand's points of coordination. The observed A|| values in the Cu (II) complexes indicate a tetrahedrally distorted square planar structure. The metal complexes are screened for biopotency. The Ligand (L1) and their complexes of Cu (II) show cytotoxicity in human adrenocarcinoma breast cancer cells giving IC50 values for Cu (II) complexes 55.52, 58.96 μg, respectively. The results demonstrate that Cu (II) complexes, with potent antiproliferative activity, is able to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human cancer cells. Cytotoxicity of the complexes is further confirmed by the MCF-7 cancer cells.