Synthesis, characterization, biological studies (DNA binding, cleavage, antibacterial and topoisomerase I) and molecular docking of copper(II) benzimidazole complexes.

To explore the therapeutic potential of copper-based benzimidazole complexes, tetranuclear Cu(II) complex 1 and dinuclear ternary amino acid complexes 2 and 3 {L-trp and L-val, respectively} were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. In vitro DNA binding studies of complexes 1-3 were carried out employing UV-vis titrations, fluorescence, circular dichroic and viscosity measurements which revealed that the complexes 1-3 bind to CT DNA preferably via groove binding. Complex 1 cleaved pBR322 DNA via hydrolytic pathway (validated by T4 DNA ligase assay), accessible to major groove while 2 followed oxidative mechanism, binding to minor groove of DNA double helix; binding events were further validated by molecular docking studies. Additionally, the complexes 1 and 2 exhibit high Topo-I inhibitory activity at different concentrations. The complexes 1-3 were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and 2 was found to be most effective against Gram-positive bacteria.