Synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal, free radical scavenging ability, and antitumor activity studies of cobalt(II) metformin complex

New [Co(Mfn-HCl)2(NO3)2] · 6H2O complex has been synthesized and characterized using microanalytical, molar conductance, spectroscopic (IR and UV-Vis), effective magnetic moment, and thermal analyses. The infrared spectroscopic results data received from the comparison between free Mfn · HCl ligand and its cobalt(II) complex proved that Metformin forms complex with cobalt(II) ions as a bidentate ligand through its two imino groups. The antioxidant activity of the Mfn · HCl and Co(II)-2Mfn · HCl complex were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Antitumor activity for Mfn · HCl ligand and its cobalt(II) complex was determined using Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma cell (EACC) line. It has been shown that the Co(II)-Mfn · HCl complex is much more effective as free radical scavenger and has higher antitumor activity than the free Mfn · HCl ligand.