Synthesis, characterization, antifungal, antibacterial and DNA cleavage studies of some heterocyclic Schiff base metal complexes

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of the Schiff base derived from indole-3-carboxaldehyde and m-aminobenzoic acid were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, IR, UV–Vis, magnetic moment, powder XRD and SEM. The IR results demonstrate the bidentate binding mode of the ligand involving azomethine nitrogen and carboxylato oxygen atoms. The electronic spectral and magnetic moment results indicate that Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes have tetrahedral geometry, while Cu(II) complex is square planar. Powder XRD and SEM indicate the crystalline state and surface morphology studies of the complexes. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized ligand and its complexes were screened by disc diffusion method. The results show that the metal complexes were found to be more active than the ligand. The nuclease activity of the ligand and its complexes were assayed on CT DNA using gel electrophoresis in the presence of H2O2. The Cu(II) complex showed increased nuclease activity in the presence of an oxidant when compared to the ligand and other complexes.