Bio‐evaluation of pyrazolone‐furan derived Schiff base Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) nano‐sized complexes: Design, spectral characterization, antimicrobial efficacy, antioxidant activity, apoptotic activity, and cell cycle analysis

Abstract

A tridentate pyrazolone‐furan Schiff's base ligand, [(E)‐4‐(((5‐[2‐fluorophenyl]furan‐2‐yl)methylene)amino)‐1,5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐one] (PFSB), was produced by condensation between compounds 5‐(2‐fluorophenyl)furan‐2‐carbaldehyde and 4‐amino‐1,5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐one. Spectroscopic characterization evidence suggested the tridentate nature (ONO) of pyrazolone‐furan Schiff's base ligand (PFSB) and coordinated to the metal (II/III) moieties through nitrogen and oxygen donor sites giving tetra‐ and/or hexa‐coordinated geometry to complexes. The complexes have been supported by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moments, spectral analyses, EPR, ligand field parameters, XRD, and thermogravimetric measurements. Theoretical optimization employing the density functional theory (DFT) was accomplished on the molecular structures of the compounds in question, and subsequently, the quantum chemical descriptors were computed. Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes were allocated octahedral coordination, while the Cu(II) complex was allocated square‐planar coordination. The SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, and EDX of the studied complexes unveiled distinct and strong diffraction peaks, signifying their crystalline nature, and providing evidence of their particle sizes being within the nano‐size. The crystal sizes calculated for all complexes were determined to be ranging from 27.73 to 76.39 nm. However, the Cr(III) complex exhibited a particle size exceeding 100 nm. The interactions between metal complexes and calf thymus DNA, and their potential for mimicking insulin activity, were investigated in a controlled lab setting by measuring their ability to inhibit alpha‐amylase. The anti‐microbial potential of the ligand (PFSB) and complexes (C1‐C5) were tested. The viscosity and UV–Vis absorption determinations were utilized to assess the calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) interaction with the nano‐sized metal (II/III) chelates. Our flow cytometry data indicate significant levels of apoptosis and cell cycle arresting in both liver and breast cancer cell lines.