Synthesis, DFT studies, molecular docking, antimicrobial screening and UV fluorescence studies on ct-DNA for novel Schiff bases of 2-(1-aminobenzyl) benzimidazole

Novel Schiff bases (SBs) were synthesized by condensation of 2-(1-Amino benzyl) benzimidazole with heterocyclic and aromatic carbonyl compounds. The structural characterization was done using 1 H, 13 C NMR, FTIR and ES-MS spectroscopic techniques. The in silico pharmacokinetics showed that nearly all compounds obeyed Lipinski rule of 5 with low toxicity and metabolic stability. The global reactivity descriptors were calculated using DFT approach. The molecular docking result of SBs with ct-DNA suggested interaction via groove binding mode. The antibacterial activity was tested against S. aureus and E. coli , indicated significant inhibition than reference drug. The compound 4d gave best results at 50 μg ml −1 concentrations. UV/Vis and Fluorescence spectroscopy tools were used to evaluate ct-DNA binding ability of compounds 4a–e through hypochromic shift. The steady state fluorescence predicted a moderate binding constant of 1.12 × 10 4 for 4d , indicative of non-intercalative mode.