Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxic activity and DNA-binding studies of cobalt (II) mixed-ligand complex containing pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate ion and 2-aminopyrimidine

Treatment of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and 2-aminopyrimidine with Co(NO3)2∙6H2O under hydrothermal conditions led to a new Co (II) complex [Co(amp)(pydc)(H2O)2]∙H2O (1), which was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis as well as X-ray diffraction studies. The DNA-binding behavior of the complex has been studied by UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic titration, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation and circular dichroism (CD). The experimental results indicated that Co (II) complex was bound to DNA by an intercalative mode. The intrinsic binding constant of Co (II) complex with DNA was (3.80 ± 0.02) × 104 M−1. The biological effects of the Co (II) complex were also studied by MTT assay in MCF-7 and HT-29 cancer cell lines. Treatment of MCF-7 and HT-29 cells with Co (II) complex resulted in a concentration-dependent cell growth inhibition.