Synthesis and characterization of different complexes derived from Schiff base and evaluation as a potential anticancer, antimicrobial, and insecticide agent

Lotfi M Aroua; Sadeq K Alhag; Laila A Al-Shuraym; Sabri Messaoudi; Jazem A Mahyoub; Mohammad Y Alfaifi; Wafa Mohammed Al-Otaibi

doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103598

Synthesis and characterization of different complexes derived from Schiff base and evaluation as a potential anticancer, antimicrobial, and insecticide agent

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2023 Mar;30(3):103598. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103598. Epub 2023 Feb 14.

Authors

Lotfi M Aroua¹, Sadeq K Alhag², Laila A Al-Shuraym³, Sabri Messaoudi¹, Jazem A Mahyoub⁴, Mohammad Y Alfaifi⁵, Wafa Mohammed Al-Otaibi⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraydah, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
² Biology Department, College of Science and Arts, King Khalid University, Muhayl Asser, Saudi Arabia.
³ Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Biology Department, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The condensation of (1H-benzimidazole-2-yl) methanamine, with 2-hydroxy naphthaldehyde lead to Schiff base ligand (H2L) (1). This was later reacted with metal salts (ZnCl₂, CrCl₃·6H₂O, and MnCl₂·4H₂O) to afford the corresponding metal complexes. Biological activity findings indicate that the metal complexes have promising activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and modest activity against Aspergillus niger. The in vitro anticancer activities of Zn (II), Cr (III), and Mn (II) complexes were investigated and the best results were observed with Mn (II) complex as the most potent cytotoxic agent toward human cell lines colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT 116, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG₂ and breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 with 0.7, 1.1 and 6.7 μg of inhibitory concentration IC₅₀ values respectively. Consequently, the Mn (II) complex and ligand were docked inside the energetic site of ERK2 and exhibited favorable energy for binding. The investigation of biological tests towards mosquito larvae indicates that Cr (III) and Mn (II) complexes manifest strong toxicity against Aedes aegypti larvae with 3.458 and 4.764 ppm values of lethal concentration LC₅₀, respectively.

Keywords: 2-aminomethyl benzimidazole; 2-hydroxynaphtadehyde; Antimicrobial agents; Insecticide agents; Potential anticancer agents; Schiff base complex.