Metal complexes have numerous applications
in the current era, particularly in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry
and catalysis. A novel synthetic approach for the same is always a
beneficial addition to the literature. Henceforth, for the first time,
we report the formation of three new Pd(II) complexes through the
Michael addition pathway. Three chromone-based thiosemicarbazone ligands
(SVSL1–SVSL3) and Pd(II) complexes (
1
–
3
) were synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic
tools. The Michael addition pathway for the formation of complexes
was confirmed by spectroscopic studies. Distorted square planar structure
of complex
2
was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Complexes
1
–
3
were subjected to DNA-
and BSA-binding studies. The complex with cyclohexyl substituent on
the terminal N of thiosemicarbazone (
3
) showed the highest
binding efficacy toward these biomolecules, which was further understood
through molecular docking studies. The anticancer potential of these
complexes was studied preliminarily by using MTT assay in cancer and
normal cell lines along with the benchmark drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin,
and gemcitabine). It was found that complex
3
was highly
toxic toward MDA-MB-231 and AsPC-1 cancer cells with IC
50
values of 0.5 and 0.9 μM, respectively, and was more efficient
than the standard drugs. The programmed cell death mechanism of the
complexes in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells was confirmed. Furthermore, the
complexes induced apoptosis via ROS-mediated mitochondrial signaling
pathway. Conveniently, all the complexes showed less toxicity (≥50
μM) against MCF-10a normal cell line. Molecular docking studies
were performed with VEGFR2, EGFR, and SARS-CoV-2 main protease to
illustrate the binding efficiency of the complexes with these receptors.
To our surprise, binding potential of the complexes with SARS-CoV-2
main protease was higher than that with chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.