Synthesis and Biological Activities of 2-Substituted Benzimidazole-Metal Complexes

Abstract

A series of copper(II) and cobalt(II) coordination compounds with 2-substituted benzimidazole derived monodentate and bidentate ligands have been prepared and characterized by microanalysis, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Synthesized metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antioxidant and antitumor activity. The complex 4a showed significant nitric oxide free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 65μg/ml), while 3i and 3g showed potent superoxide dismutase activity with IC₅₀ of 0.26 and 0.28 μM respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity study with human breast MCF-7 and CNS SF 268 cancer cell lines showed that the most active 2-benzyl-1H-benzimidazole Cu(II) complex 3a inhibited the growth of cancer cells at 20 μM concentration.

Keywords: Cu(II) complexes; Co(II) complexes; Benzimidazoles; Antitumor activity.

DOI: 10.3329/dujps.v8i2.6027

Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 8(2): 131-140, 2009 (December)