Synthesis, structural characterization and antitumor activity evaluations of copper complex with tetraazamacrocyclic ligand

Cu (II) complex with 1,4,7,10-tetrakis(2-cyanoethyl-)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacylododecane was prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Four nitrogen atoms of macrocyclic ligand and oxygen atom of water molecule defined a tetragonal pyramidal polyhedron surrounding the central copper atom. Preliminary pharmacological tests showed that it had antitumor activity against P388 and BEL-7404 cell lines in vitro. Also it exhibited perturbation effects to K562 tumor cell lines at G0–G1 stage and further studies showed that it can cleave supercoiled DNA( pBR 322) to nicked and linear DNA in aerobic condition.