Characterization and DNA binding studies of unexplored imidazolidines by electronic absorption spectroscopy and...

UV-Vis spectroscopic behavior of four imidazolidine derivatives i.e., [5-benzylideneimidazolidine-2,4-dione (NBI), 5-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (HBI), 5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (MBI) and 5-(3,4-di-methoxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (DBI)] was studied in a wide pH range. Spectroscopic response of the studied compounds was found sensitive to pH and the attached substituents. Incited by anti-tumor activity, structural miscellany and biological applications of imidazolidines, the DNA binding affinity of some novel derivatives of this class of compounds was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV-Vis spectroscopy at pH values of blood (7.4) and lysosomes (4.5). The CV results showed the following order of binding strength: KNBI (6.40×10(6)M(-1))>KHBI (1.77×10(5)M(-1))>KMBI (2.06×10(4)M(-1))>KDBI (1.01×10(4)M(-1)) at pH 7.4. The same order was also obtained from UV-Vis spectroscopy. The greater affinity of NBI justified its preferred candidature as an effective anti-cancer drug. The DNA binding propensity of these compounds was found comparable or greater than most of the clinically used anticancer drugs.