DNA cleavage, binding and intercalation studies of drug-based oxovanadium(IV) complexes

The complexes of oxovanadium(IV) with ciprofloxacin and various uni-negative bidentate ligands have been prepared and their structure investigated using spectral, physicochemical and elemental analyses. The viscosity measurement suggest that the complexes bind to DNA by intercalation. The DNA binding efficacy was determined using absorption titration to obtain the binding constant (K(b)). The DNA cleavage efficacy was determined using gel electrophoresis. The DNA binding and cleavage efficacy were increased in the complexes relative to the parental ligands and metal salts. Antibacterial activity has been assayed against two Gram((- ve)) i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and three Gram((+ ve)) Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Serratia marcescens microorganisms using the doubling dilution technique. The results show a significant increase in antibacterial activity in the complexes compared with parental ligands and metal salts.