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New 1,2-azaphosphole, 1,3,2-diazaphosphinine, and phosphonate derivatives containing pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole moiety were achieved. The synthetic pathways depended on the reaction of 6-amino-3-methyl-1,4-diphenyl-1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitrile with some phosphorus reagents such as diethyl phosphite, phosphorus sulfides, and phenyl phosphorus halides under different conditions. Compounds 6 and 7 recorded potent antibacterial and antifungal activities with lower toxicity, while compounds 4 and 6 displayed promising antioxidative properties. Further, compounds 4 and 9 exhibited potent cytotoxic effects against MCF-7, HepG-2, and HCT-116 cancer cells. The early apoptotic cell death was observed by the compounds in all types of the treated cells. Compounds 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 recorded low to moderate percentages of necrosis and late apoptosis toward all treated cells.

(E)-1-((((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methyl)imino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol, ligand was synthesized by condensation of (1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) methanamine, with 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde. The ligand and the metal complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Interpretation of spectra confirmed that the ligand adopted either a neutral tridentate or a monobasic tridentate mode, bonded to the metal ions through the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic benzimidazole, azomethine nitrogen atom and deprotonated phenolic oxygen atom forming either a square planer geometry. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of complexes indicated that the complexes were crystalline in nature with triclinic structures. The antibacterial and the antifungal activities of the ligand and its complexes were examined against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger by well- diffusion method. The results showed that Cd (II) complex exhibits the highest antifungal and antibacterial activities among the tested complexes. The in vitro antitumor activityies of the different complexes were tested and the results revealed an important cytotoxicity of cadmium complex against MCF-7, Hep G2 and HCT 116 cell. Iron complex showed also a strong toxicity towards Hep G2 and HCT cell whereas moderate activity against MCF-7. The bioassay study of different complexes against mosquito larvae demonstrated strong activity of zirconium complex with 0.172 values of LC50.

Background: The increasing rate of breast cancer globally requires extraordinary efforts to discover new effective sources of chemotherapy with fewer side effects. Glutaminase-free l-asparaginase is a vital chemotherapeutic agent for various tumor malignancies. Microorganisms from extreme sources, such as marine bacteria, might have high l-asparaginase productivity and efficiency with exceptional antitumor action toward breast cancer cell lines. Results: l-Asparaginase-producing bacteria, Bacillus velezensis isolated from marine sediments, were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. l-Asparaginase production by immobilized cells was 61.04% higher than that by free cells fermentation. The significant productivity of enzyme occurred at 72 h, pH 6.5, 37°C, 100 rpm. Optimum carbon and nitrogen sources for enzyme production were glucose and NH4Cl, respectively. l-Asparaginase was free from glutaminase activity, which was crucial medically in terms of their severe side effects. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme is 39.7 KDa by SDS-PAGE analysis and was ideally active at pH 7.5 and 37°C. Notwithstanding, the highest stability of the enzyme was found at pH 8.5 and 70°C for 1 h. The enzyme kinetic parameters displayed Vmax at 41.49 μmol/mL/min and a Km of 3.6 × 10−5 M, which serve as a proof of the affinity to its substrate. The anticancer activity of the enzyme against breast adenocarcinoma cell lines demonstrated significant activity toward MDA-MB-231 cells when compared with MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 12.6 ± 1.2 μg/mL and 17.3 ± 2.8 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: This study provides the first potential of glutaminase-free l-asparaginase production from the marine bacterium Bacillus velezensis as a prospect anticancer pharmaceutical agent for two different breast cancer cell lines.How to cite: Mostafa Y, Alrumman S, Alamri S, et al. Enhanced production of glutaminase-free L-asparaginase by marine Bacillus velezensis and cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines. Electron J Biotechnol 2019;42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2019.10.001. Keywords: Asparaginase, Bacillus velezensis, Breast cancer, Chemotherapy, Fermentation, Glutaminase, Immobilization, Marine, MCF-7 cells, Nitrogen, Production, Purification

The HER2/neu has shown a potential role in the choice of active chemotherapy for breast tumors because of its prognostic relevance and putative role in predicting drug resistance. Moreover, suppressing DNA replication has become an attractive strategy for treating cancer patients. In this attempt, the present study aimed to prepare new series of bis-imidazolium-based saldach {H2(Et)2saldach (nBu-Im+-X–)2} and their cis-Pd(II) complexes (saldach = N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; X = Cl, PF6, BF4) as anticancer agents. The in vitro cytotoxicity activity of new cis-Pd(II) complexes against human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MCF-7) revealed higher growth-inhibitory effect than the native ligands. They induced a significant decrease for the protein HER2/neu expression with p

Two new cycloartane-type triterpenoids, cycloschimperols A [cycloart-20,24-dien-3β-ol] (3) and B [26,27-dinor-3β-hydroxy cycloartan-25-al] (4) and two known compounds, 24-methylenecycloartane (1) and cycloart-25-en-3-one (2) were separated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia schimperi C. Presl (Euphorbiaceae). The structural characterization of these metabolites was achieved by various spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS as well as comparison with the published data. The cytotoxic activities of these metabolites were assessed towards breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT-116) cancer cell lines using sulphorhodamine B assay (SRB). Compounds 2 and 4 had the most potent cytotoxic profile against the tested cells lines with IC50s ranging from 1.4 to 4.7 μM, in comparison to doxorubicin (IC50 0.18, 0.60, and 0.20 μM, respectively).

Two new rare sesquiterpene glycosides, macrochaetosides A (3) and B (4), together with two known metabolites: stigmasterol (1) and cyclostenol (2) were separated from the CHCl3 fraction of the aerial parts of Echinops macrochaetus Boiss. (Asteraceae). Their chemical structures were established based on various spectroscopic methods in addition to mass spectrometry and comparison with literature data. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of these metabolites was assessed towards breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT-116) tumour cell lines using sulphorhodamine B assay (SRB). Compounds 2 and 3 showed a potent cytotoxic profile towards all tested cell lines with IC50s 2.1, 2.9, and 3.6 μM and 1.9, 3.3, and 2.3 μM, respectively compared to doxorubicin (IC50 0.18, 0.60, and 0.20 μM, respectively). Also, 4 exhibited cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 with IC50 6.9 μM.

The CHCl3 fraction of MeOH extract of Periploca somaliensis (family Asclepiadaceae) fruits afforded a new scalarane sesterterpene, namely perisomalien A (1), along with lupeol acetate (2), β-amyrin...

L-glutaminase is an important anticancer agent that is used extensively worldwide by depriving cancer cells of L-glutamine. The marine bacterium, Halomonas meridian was isolated from the Red Sea and selected as the more active L-glutaminase-producing bacteria. L-glutaminase fermentation was optimized at 36 h, pH 8.0, 37 °C, and 3.0% NaCl, using glucose at 1.5% and soybean meal at 2%. The purified enzyme showed a specific activity of 36.08 U/mg, and the molecular weight was found to be 57 kDa by the SDS-PAGE analysis. The enzyme was highly active at pH 8.0 and 37 °C. The kinetics’ parameters of Km and Vmax were 12.2 × 10−6 M and 121.95 μmol/mL/min, respectively, which reflects a higher affinity for its substrate. The anticancer efficiency of the enzyme showed significant toxic activity toward colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, LS 174 T (IC50 7.0 μg/mL) and HCT 116 (IC50 13.2 μg/mL). A higher incidence of cell death was observed with early apoptosis in HCT 116 than in LS 174 T, whereas late apoptosis was observed in LS 174 T more than in HCT 116. Also, the L-glutaminase induction nuclear fragmentation in HCT 116 was more than that in the LS 174T cells. This is the first report on Halomonas meridiana as an L-glutaminase producer that is used as an anti-colorectal cancer agent.

From the soft coral Xenia umbellata, seven isoprenoid derivatives were isolated, including a new xenicane diterpene, xeniolide O (5) and a new gorgostane derivative gorgst-3β,5α,6β,11α,20(S)-pentol-3-monoacetate (7), along with three known sesquiterpenes (1–3), a known diterpene (4), and a known steroid (6). The extensive analyses of the NMR, IR, and MS spectral data led to determination of their chemical structures. Compounds 1–7 displayed a cytotoxic effect against breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), with IC50 values ranging between 1.5 ± 0.1–23.2 ± 1.5, 1.8 ± 0.1–30.6 ± 1.1 and 0.9 ± 0.05–12.8 ± 0.5 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 3 showed potent cytotoxic effects against MCF-7, HepG2, and HeLa with IC50 values = 2.4 ± 0.20, 3.1 ± 0.10 and 0.9 ± 0.05 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 2, 5, and 7 displayed cytotoxic effect against Hela cells with IC50 values = 12.8 ± 0.50, 6.7 ± 1.00 and 11.5 ± 2.20 μg/mL, respectively. Two DNA binding dyes, acridine orange (AO) and ethidium bromide (EtBr) were used for the detection of viable, apoptotic, and necrotic cells. The early apoptotic cell death was observed in all types of treated cells. The late apoptotic cells were highly present in HepG2 cells. Compounds 5 and 7 induced a high percentage of necrosis towards HepG2 and HeLa cells. The late apoptosis was recorded as a high rate after treatment with 7 on all cancer cells.

The present study surveyed the flora of the Jebel Fayfa region, South-West Saudi Arabia to analyze four elements of the vegetation: floristic diversity, life form, lifespan, and phytogeographical affinities. A total of 341 species of vascular plants were recorded belonging to 240 genera in 70 families, of which 101 species distributed among 40 families were considered as new additions to the flora of Jabal Fayfa. Six species are considered endemic to the study area while 27 are endangered. The most represented families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae. The flora of Jabal Fayfa exhibited a high degree of monotypism. A total of 20 families (28.57%) were represented by a single species, and 180 genera (75.00%) were monotypic. The recorded flora consists of 70.09% perennials and 29.91% annuals. Phanerophytes and therophytes were the most frequent lifeforms. Phytogeographical analysis revealed that the biregional elements of the Saharo-Arabian/Sudano-Zambezian chorotype are the most dominant chorotypes (35.48%), forming two-thirds of the floristic structure in Jabal Fayfa. The new additions to the local flora of the region indicate that the Jabal Fayfa region and the country need further thorough botanical exploration and documentation which would help in adding several species to the flora of Saudi Arabia.

Kleinia pendula (Forssk.) DC. is a prostrate or pendent dark green succulent herb found in the southwestern mountain regions of Saudi Arabia. The literature survey of the plant reveals a lack of phytochemical and pharmacological studies, although traditional uses have been noted. The objective of the present work was to assess the in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as, the in vitro cytotoxic potential of the fractions of Kleinia pendula, and correlate these activities to the plant metabolites. The methanolic extract of Kleinia pendula was subjected to fractionation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-butanol, and water. The fractions were screened for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as cytotoxic activity against breast, liver, and colon cancer cell lines. The n-hexane and chloroform fractions of Kleinia pendula showed significant cytotoxic activity against all three cancer cell lines tested. The ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The metabolites in these three active fractions were determined using UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS. Thus, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the plant were attributed to its phenolic acids (caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, protocatechuic, and chlorogenic acids). While fatty acids and triterpenoids such as (tormentic acid) in the hexane fraction are responsible for the cytotoxic activity, thus, these fractions of Kleinia pendula may be a novel source for the development of new plant-based analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer drugs.

Two new hybrid half‐sandwiched Ru(II) arene complexes of a general formula [η6-(p-cymene)Ru(L)Cl] (4a,b) {where L = 1-(Benzazol-2-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl) propane-1,3-dione} were synthesized and characterized. Spectral and elemental analysis revealed that these complexes have tetrahedral piano stool‐like geometry with a coordination environment composed of two O atoms of ligand, chloride ion, and electron cloud of p‐cymene moiety. The CT-DNA–Ru(II) complexes interactions were evaluated based on absorption and emission titration experiments. The results have shown intercalative modes of interaction between DNA and complexes, with a preferable binding to complex 4b. Based on the in vitro cytotoxicity MTT assay, the complexes exhibit significant inhibitory activity against human breast and lung cancer cells (MCF-7, A549), with lower micromolar IC50 values in comparison to that of clinical drug (cisplatin). In contrast, neither complex shows activity against the normal cell lines (Hela), suggesting that the new hybrid thiophene-β-diketo-benzazole organoruthenium(II) complexes may offer promising safe anticancer agents.

The current approach described the synthesis of a new series of indolylpyrrole derivatives through multicomponent reaction of α-cyano chalcones, appropriate aldehydes, and ammonium acetate in refluxed acetic acid. The chemical structures of the designed compounds were confirmed with spectroscopic data and elemental analysis and then tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activity by SRB assay method towards three cell lines involving human Prostate adenocarcinoma; metastatic cells (PC-3), human ovary adenocarcinoma (SKOV3) and human dukes' type B, colorectal adenocarcinoma (LS 174 T). Most significant activity provided with compounds 5c, 5h and, 5j against prostate cancer cells (PC-3) with IC50s of 3.30 ± 0.20, 3.60 ± 0.10, and 3.60 ± 0.90 µg/ml, respectively. In human ovarian carcinoma (SKOV3), the compounds 5a, and 5i have stronger cytotoxicity with IC50s of 1.20 ± 0.04, 1.90 ± 0.50 µg/ml, respectively than the standard doxorubicin (IC50 = 2.20 ± 0.02 µg/ml). On the other hand, only compound 5a has the ability to diminish the viability of LS174T cells in an active manner with IC50 2.80 ± 0.10 µg/ml. Consequently, this effort offers groundwork for additional examination of nominated indolylpyrroles as antiproliferative agents.

The experimental protonation and complex formation equilibrium constants of nicotine (NIC) with trivalent (iron (III), and chromium (III)) and divalent (copper (II), and nickel (II)) metal ions have been investigated at 310.15 oK in water solutions at ionic strength of 13.60 g·dm−3 NaNO3 using pH-potentiometric and cyclic voltammetry techniques, and by means of Hyperquad 2008 estimation model program. Also, the dissociation constants of NIC and the equilibrium constants of its binary complexes with the studied metal ions in 13.60 g·dm−3 NaNO3 water solutions were observed at different temperatures such as (298.15, 310.15, 318.15 and 328.15) K. The theoretical calculations of overall protonation and stability constants of the metal ion-nicotine complex species in aqueous solutions were predicted as the Gibbs energy change associated with the nicotine protonation, and metal ion – nicotine complex formation equilibria using ab initio and density function theory calculations by applying Gaussian 09 software molecular modeling. The usage of the experimental potentiometry/spectrophotometry techniques and theoretical predictions provides a complete picture of the microscopic equilibria of the studied systems (metal ions -nicotinate). Precisely, this theoretically predications could be useful to control the most real protonation constants of nicotine ligand in which the binding sites changes due to the ligand protonation/deprotonation equilibria. Also, the complexing capacities of different metal ions towards nicotine in solutions were evaluated and discussed. From the determined experimental stability constants of different metal complex species, the concentration distribution diagrams of the various metal ions - nicotine complex species in solutions were estimated using HySS 2009 software.

Platinum(II) and vanadium(V) solid binary and ternary complexes involving naringin, a flavanone glycoside in found in grapefruit, and some phenolic acids were synthesized and fully characterized using detailed structural and spectroscopic analysis techniques such as IR, NMR, and SEM techniques. The magnetic susceptibility results as well line drawings of the platinum and vanadium complexes showed four-coordinate square-planar and remarkable low-spin diamagnetic species; which is in agreement with the structures proposed. The cytotoxic activities of the binary and ternary vanadium and platinum metal complexes of phenolic acids and naringin were tested and evaluated against HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), and HCT116 (human colorectal carcinoma) tumor cell lines. Also, their antioxidant activities were examined by free radical scavenging assay. The relationship between the chemical structure of the synthesized complexes and their biological influence was studied and evaluated.

In this work, we have successfully upgraded the crab wastes into Pd(II) complex of Gboxin analog-chitooligosaccharides conjugate (Pd(II)COS@GbA). This new complex has a high capacity to inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cells (IC50 = 1.92 μg/ml). This activity could be attributed to its ability to induce mitochondrial fragmentation through increasing mitochondrial fission dynamin-related protein 1 (p

A new series of pyrazole 4&ndash, 7 and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine 8&ndash, 13 were synthesized by using a simple, efficient procedure, and screened for their in-vitro antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Symmetrical and asymmetrical 3,6-diarylazo-2,5,7-triaminopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine were synthesized by the conventional method and also subjected to microwave irradiation and under ultrasound conditions. The biological results revealed that most of the tested compounds proved to be active as antibacterial and antifungal agents. The antitumor activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against human cancer cell lines, MCF-7, HCT-116, and HepG-2, as compared with Doxorubicin as a control.

The anticancer activity of terretonin N (1) and butyrolactone I (2), obtained from the thermophilic fungus Aspergillus terreus TM8, was intensively studied against prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3) and ovary adenocarcinoma (SKOV3) human cell lines. According to this study, both compounds showed potent cytotoxicity towards ovarian adenocarcinoma cells (SKOV3) with IC50 1.2 and 0.6 μg/mL, respectively. With respect to metastatic prostate cells (PC-3), the two compounds 1 and 2 showed a significantly promising cytotoxicity effect with IC50 of 7.4 and 4.5 μg/mL, respectively. The tested fungal metabolites showed higher rates of early and late apoptosis with little or no necrotic apoptotic pathway in all treated prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3) and ovary adenocarcinoma (SKOV3) human cell lines, respectively. The results reported in this study confirmed the promising biological properties of terretonin N (1) and butyrolactone I (2) as anticancer agents via the induction of cellular apoptosis. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which cellular apoptosis is induced in cancer cells.

The Experimental thermodynamic equilibrium (pKa values) and stability (log β) constants of vanadium and platinum binary and mixed ligand complexes involving naringenin, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, sinapic acid, and gallic acid were determined at 310.15 K in 0.16 mol·dm−3 KCl aqueous solutions using pH-potentiometric technique and by means of two estimation models (HYPERQUAD 2008 and Bjerrum–Calvin). The theoretical calculations of overall protonation and stability constants of the metal complex species in solution were predicted as the free energy change associated with the ligand protonation, and metal ion–ligand complex formation equilibria (species solvation/de-solvation) using ab initio and density function theory (DFT) calculations. The usage of the experimental potentiometry technique and theoretical predictions provides a complete picture of the microscopic equilibria of the studied systems (vanadium/platinum–naringenin–phenolic acid). Specifically, this theoretically DFT predications would be useful to determine the most real protonation constants of the studied bioligands in which the binding sites changes due to the ligand protonation/deprotonation equilibria. Also, the complexing capacities of vanadium and platinum towards naringenin, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, sinapic acid, and gallic acid in solutions were evaluated and discussed. From the determined experimental stability constants of different metal complex species, the concentration distribution diagrams of the various metal ion complex species in solution was estimated using HySS 2009 software.

Four siderophore analogues were isolated and purified from Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp. ST13, and Streptomyces pilosus microorganisms under some specific submerged fermentation conditions. In order to evaluate the highest production of this siderophore analogues through the growth, a rapid spectrophotometric screening semi-quantitative method was used, in which interestingly the analogues were isolated in its own form not its iron chelate. After chromatographic separation, the chemical structures of the isolated and purified siderophores were illustrated using detailed spectroscopic techniques. The biodegradation studies were done on that four novel isolated and purified siderophores following OECD protocols. In addition, the bioactivities of these siderophores and their iron complexes were examined and evaluated.

The interaction of a number of divalent and trivalent metal ions [iron(III), chromium(III) copper(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II)] with four isolated and purified microbial catecholate and hydroxamate siderophores was studied using the pH-potentiometric technique to investigate the complexation behavior of these systems as these systems could mimic many biological interactions of the siderophore chelating agent. The protonation constants of these new siderophore analogues as well their binary complex species stability constants were determined using the Hyperquad 2008 estimation model program. From the determined stability constants of the metal complex species, the concentration distribution of the various metal ion complex species involving isolated siderophore analogues in solutions was estimated using the HySS 2009 modeling program. The complex species distribution diagrams were plotted and discussed. Additionally, the Gibbs energies and the molecular structures of the formed complex species were evaluated and predicted using Gaussian 09 software for molecular modeling and density functional theory calculations.

Diabetes is a major health problem that is associated with high risk of various complications. Medicinal plants hold great promise against diabetes. The traditional use of Cleome droserifolia as an antidiabetic agent was correlated to its flavonol glycosides content. In the current study, five major flavonol glycosides appeared on the RP-HPLC chromatogram of the aqueous extract namely, quercetin-3-O-&beta, d-glucosyl-7-O-&alpha, rhamnoside (1), isorhamnetin-7-O-&beta, neohesperidoside (2), isorhamnetin-3-O-&beta, d-glucoside (3) kaempferol-4&prime, methoxy-3,7-O-&alpha, dirhamnoside (4), and isorhamnetin-3-O-&alpha, (4&Prime, acetylrhamnoside)-7-O-&alpha, rhamnoside (5). The inhibitory activities of these compounds were tested in vitro against several enzymes involved in diabetes management. Only the relatively less polar methoxylated flavonol glycosides (4, 5) showed mild to moderate &alpha, amylase and &alpha, glucosidase inhibitory activities. Compounds 1&ndash, 4 displayed remarkable inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) enzyme (IC50 0.194 &plusmn, 0.06, 0.573 &plusmn, 0.03, 0.345 &plusmn, 0.02 and 0.281 &plusmn, 0.05 &micro, g/mL, respectively) comparable to vildagliptin (IC50 0.154 &plusmn, 0.02 &micro, g/mL). Moreover, these compounds showed high potential in preventing diabetes complications through inhibiting aldose reductase enzyme and combating oxidative stress. Both isorhamnetin glycoside derivatives (2, 3) exhibited the highest activities in aldose reductase inhibition and compound 2 (IC50 5.45 &plusmn, 0.26 &micro, g/mL) was even more potent than standard quercetin (IC50 7.77 &plusmn, 0.43 &micro, g/mL). Additionally, these flavonols exerted excellent antioxidant capacities through 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant (FRAP) assays.

The synthesis of new bis-triphenylphosphonium-based dimethlysalphens (salphen = N,N`-bis-(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediimine) and their complexes (Pd(II)-salphens) for chemotherapeutic applications were reported. The in vitro anticancer efficacy of new compounds against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines demonstrated higher activity for Pd-complexes as compared with their parent ligands. Among tested compounds, Pd(II)-salphen3 was found to be the most potent one in the suppression of HepG2 proliferation (IC50 = 3.01 μM), ˜3-fold lower than the clinical drug (cisplatin, CDDP) (IC50 = 8.28 μM). The Pd(II)-salphens can effectively bind to CT-DNA via a non-covalent interaction (intercalation/ electrostatic) as revealed from the hyperchromism of 28–53% along with 3–6 nm bathochromism observed during the electronic absorption titration of Pd(II)-salphens with CT-DNA. On the other hand, the H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions play crucial roles in the binding of Pd(II)-salphens to BSA as indicating from the BSA fluorescence quenching by Pd(II) complexes. Noteworthy, Pd(II)-salphen3 displayed the highest reactivity towards DNA/ BSA with intrinsic binding constants (Kb/ KF) (3.01 × 105/ 2.95 × 106 M–1).