DNA binding and cytotoxicity of two Cu(II) complexes containing a Schiff base ligand along with 1,10-phenanthroline or imidazole as a coligand

Two Cu(II) complexes containing the N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol ligand and 1,10-phenantroline or imidazole as a coligand display remarkable cytotoxicity against the human lung cancer A549 cell line as well as the breast cancer MCF7 cell line as evident from the MTT assay. AO/PI dual staining assay for A549 cells suggests cell death via both apoptosis and necrosis for their anticancer activity.