We have characterized a new class of 2-mercapto/2-selenobenzo[h]quinoline-3-carbaldehyde (3/4). Antibacterial potential of these compounds against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was studied. The selenium containing compound 4 showed significant inhibition zone on Staphylococcus aureus (22.76+/-0.14), Bacillus subtilis (20.63+/-0.24), and Streptococcus pyogenes (19.54+/-0.20) over sulfur containing compound 3. To validate the ethnotherapeutic claims of the synthetic compounds in skin diseases, wound healing activity was studied, besides antioxidant activity to understand the mechanism of wound healing. The interaction behavior of these compounds with DNA was investigated by absorption spectra (obtained K(b) constant for 3 is 2.7x10(5) and for 4 is 3.8x10(6)), viscosity, and thermal denaturation studies. Finally, the results show that the DNA intercalated 3/4 compounds are strong antioxidants; they show significant wound healing activity and protect oxidative DNA damage from harmful free radical reactions.