Schiff base complexes were synthesized from DFMPM and glutamic acid with transition metal ions Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), and their structures were thoroughly characterized using a combination of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, powder XRD, and SEM. These analyses confirmed the successful coordination of the metal ions with the Schiff base ligands and provided insight into the structural and morphological properties of the resulting complexes.
The antimicrobial potential of both the free ligand and its metal complexes was evaluated using the disc diffusion method against selected bacterial and fungal strains. The results demonstrated that coordination to the metal ions enhanced the antimicrobial activity compared to the free ligand, suggesting a synergistic effect between the metal center and the ligand framework.
In addition, the nuclease activity of the ligand and its complexes was investigated using λ-DNA in the presence of H₂O₂ via gel electrophoresis. The study revealed that the metal complexes exhibited efficient DNA cleavage activity, indicating their potential as chemical nucleases, which could be valuable for biotechnological and medicinal applications.
Furthermore, in vitro anticancer studies were performed against HT-29 colon carcinoma cells. Among the synthesized complexes, the Co(II) complex showed moderate cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ value of 72.01 µM, highlighting its potential as a lead compound for further development of metal-based anticancer agents. Overall, the study suggests that these Schiff base metal complexes possess multifunctional biological properties, including antimicrobial, nuclease, and anticancer activities, making them promising candidates for future pharmaceutical applications.