Copper complexes containing 4-nitrobenzohydrazide (4-NH), [Cu(4-NH) 2 (ClO 4 ) 2 ] (1), [Cu(4-NH) 2 (NO 3 ) 2 ] (2) and [Cu(4-NH) 2 Br 2 ] (3), were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopy. DFT calculations have revealed a distorted octahedral for 1, 2 and 3. DNA interactions of 1-3 toward calf-thymus DNA were investigated by absorption titration, viscosity, fluorescence spectroscopy and gel electrophoresis. All complexes bind to DNA via intercalation mode. The K b values have shown the binding ability in the order of 3 > 2 > 1. The in vitro cytotoxicity of 1-3 was tested against two human cancer cells (HeLa and MCF-7) and normal Vero cells by MTT assay. All complexes show anticancer ability upon increasing time, but the ligand is inactive. Complex 3 with the Br À anion gives the lowest IC 50 values of 19.26 � 2.43 μg/mL toward MCF-7. Moreover, all complexes were not arrested at any cell cycle phases. However, the sub-G1 populations were enhanced upon increasing the complex concentration. Therefore, they may induce apoptotic cell death for both cancer cells. The antibacterial activity of 1-3 was tested against E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. Complex 3 gives the best activity toward Campylobacter (0.156 × 10 3 μg/mL).

Two copper(ii) complexes of guanidine derivatives and ciprofloxacin are good candidates for the next generation of anticancer and/or antibacterial agents.

A new copper(ii) complex containing guanidine derivatives and gallic acid (1-HGA) interacted with CT-DNA via non-intercalation mode. 1-HGA was most active against MCF-7 cancer cells and had greater antibacterial activity than the starting compound.