Novel Mannich Base Complexes of 5-Chloro-1,3-benzoxazole-2(3H)-thione as Antioxidant and Anticancer Agents

A new ligand of Mannich base (5-chloro-3-(dibenzyl amino) (phenyl)methyl) benzo[d]oxazole-2(3H)-thione) (L1) was synthesized. Micro complexes (CuL1) and (ZnL1) were synthesized, and their anti-tumor and antioxidant activity against cancer cells (MCF-7) were investigated. The derivative (L1) has been synthesized through condensation of 5-chloro-2-mercaptobenzoxazole, benzaldehyde with dibenzyl amine. Different techniques: FTIR, C.H.N.S., 1H-NMR, UV-Vis, 13C-NMR, and mass spectral analysis were used to characterize the prepared ligand. UV-vis spectroscopy and FT-IR, flame atomic absorption technique, elemental analysis (C.H.N.S.), magnetic susceptibility, and conductivity measurements have been utilized for identifying and suggesting the geometrical structure of the synthesized complexes in the solid state. The DPPH assay was used to determine the free radical scavenging properties of the free ligand (L1) as well as its microcomplexes. The in vitro anticancer activity of each compound against breast cancer cells was evaluated using various parameters. AO-EtBr dual staining confirmed that the anti-proliferative effects of these compounds result from the induction of cell death and apoptosis. Based on the study’s findings, micro complexes may have broad medical applications and offer a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy.