Synthesis, characterization and biological screening studies of mixed ligand complexes using flavonoids as precursors

Flavonoids are a group of plant phenolics that provide various health benefits through cell signalling pathways and antioxidant effects. In the present study, a new series of mixed ligand complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were synthesized by incorporating curcumin and quercetin flavonoid precursors. The structural features of the synthesized complexes were explored using elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, UV–visible, infrared, NMR, mass and electron paramagnetic resonance spectral analyses and conductivity measurements. These data support an octahedral geometry of the synthesized complexes. In silico biological activity score for the ligand was predicted using PASS online software. ADMET properties were studied using VLS3D online software. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were experimentally validated which prove that theoretical predictions are in agreement with the experimental results. Interestingly the synthesized complexes interact with calf thymus DNA through groove binding mode. Moreover, they have good potential to cleave pUC19 DNA. Minimum inhibitory concentration values of the synthesized complexes reveal that they have better antimicrobial efficacy than the ligands.