3.1 Green synthesis of 4,4’-methylenedianiline 1
A modified green synthesis of the ligand 4,4’-methanedianiline was conducted [10]. The reaction of aniline (2 equivalents) and formaldehyde solution (34 % - 38 %, 1 equivalent) mediated by natural kaolinite was performed in an ultrasonic bath at 42 kHz in a water bath for 20 min. Kaolinite is a 1:1 layer phyllosilicate clay mineral, and its chemical formula is Si2Al2O5(OH)4, Al2O5Si2.2H2O or Al2O3.2Si4.2H2O) [2] along with other minor metal oxide impurities. Its structure possesses a sheet of octahedral Al(OH)4 bonded via H-bonds to a sheet of combined tetrahedral SiO4. Notably, no reaction occurs using other carbonate-containing clays, such as limestone or dolomite, as catalysts. According to the EDX analysis shown in figure 1, the obtained kaolinitic clay has the following composition (mass %): Al2O3 (40.62 ± 0.51), SiO2 (55.32 ± 0.71), TiO2 (2.86 ± 0.17) and FeO (1.20 ± 0.12).
Reaction mechanism
The kaolinite particles possess oppositely charged surface regions in aqueous media due to bonding of the silicate oxygen with OH’s octahedral sheet. The protonation pH (@ 7)/deprotonation (> 7) in the aqueous phase develops charges on the edges and faces of the octahedral-oxygen sheets, causing surface charge heterogeneity. In aqueous medium, kaolinite acidic sources developed by protonation of aluminol Al-OH sites (Al-OH + H+ ® Al-OH2+), silanol (Si–OH) sites (Si-OH + H+ ® Si-OH2+) and coordinated water molecules formed via a prototropy process (proton migration) of two hydroxyl units (OH- « H+ + O2-, H+ + OH- « H2O, H2O + H+ ® H3O+) [18]. Figure 2 depicts the suggested reaction mechanism for diamine 1 formation. In aqueous medium, the kaolinite acidic sources are different from both the basic aniline nitrogen and the partially negatively charged oxygen of formaldehyde. In the former case, the reaction would give the Al-OH2+/Si-OH2+ sites, while the latter would give the speculated carbocation, releasing hydrated Al-OH and Si-OH sites in both cases. Electrophilic attack of the aldehyde carbocation at the para position of a hydrated anilinium molecule would give the intermediate (4-aminophenyl) methanol. The reaction of the kaolinite acidic sources with the alcoholic intermediate would give the corresponding 4-aminobenzyl cation and release the hydrated Al-OH sites. Reaction of the carbocation with a second hydrated anilinium molecule would give the expected target hydrated methylenedianiline. Notably, in the presence of such a hydrated and variable acidic source medium, another reaction of the acidic-trapped electron-rich amino-nitrogen center in either step was not expected.
3.2. Synthesis of N,N'-Bis(1-naphthylidene)4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane 3
Condensation of the synthesized methanedianiline 1 with two equivalents of the commercial 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde 2 in boiling EtOH for 1 h produced a (1:1) mixture of the targeted bis-imine 3 and the Schiff base 4 as a homogenous yellow‒orange solid, Figure 3. Several trials to separate these two analogs by recrystallization and/or chromatography failed.
IR analysis of ligand mixtures 3 and 4 exhibited a broad band at u 3466 cm-1 corresponding to the phenolic OH groups, a strong band at u 1625 cm-1 due to the imine bonds CH=N- and bending bands at u 1545, 1511, 1350, 1322, 1212, 1140, 970, and 827 cm-1. The 1H-NMR spectrum exhibited a broad singlet signal at d 15.83 ppm (s br, 2H, OH), a multiplet signal at d 9.60 ppm corresponding to the two imine protons (H-1), a doublet signal at d 8.44 ppm (J 7.65 Hz) corresponds to two protons (Ar H-5, Ar H-5’), a doublet signal at d 7.88 ppm (J 9.55 Hz) due to two protons (Ar H-9, Ar H-9’), a doublet signal at d 7.74 (J 7.65 Hz) due to two protons (Ar H-6, Ar H-6’), a doublet signal at d 7.55 ppm (J 7.65 Hz) due to two protons (Ar H-8, Ar H-8’), a multiplet signal at d 7.50 ppm for four protons (Ar H-14, Ar H-14’, Ar-H-16, Ar H-16’), a multiplet signal at d 7.35 ppm due to four protons (Ar H-13, Ar H-13’, Ar H-17, Ar H-17’), a doublet signal at d 6.95 ppm (J 9.55 Hz) corresponds to two protons (H-7, H-7’), a doublet signal at d 6.86 ppm (J 7.65 Hz) due to one proton (Ar H-4), a doublet signal at d 6.47 ppm (J 8.6 Hz) due to one proton (Ar H-4’), a broad singlet signal at d 4.86 ppm due to two protons (NH2); a singlet signal at d 4.00 ppm due to two aliphatic protons) CH2); and a singlet signal at d 3.75 ppm due to two aliphatic protons 3.75 (CH2). The 13C-NMR spectrum exhibited three imines (-C=N) with distinguished signals at d 171.53 ppm, 155.59 ppm, and 155.36 ppm. Other aromatic carbons resonated at d 142.22 ppm, d 140.29 ppm, d 137.32 ppm, d 137.32 ppm, d 133.70 ppm, d 130.11 ppm, d 129.61 ppm, d 127.06 ppm, d 123.26 ppm, d 122.59 ppm, d 121.18 ppm, d 120.98 ppm, d 120.71 ppm and d 108.88 ppm. The carbon atoms of the two aliphatic (-CH2-) atoms resonated at d 40.31 ppm and d 40.14 ppm. Electron ionization mass spectrometry analysis showed a fragment peak at m/z 491 corresponding to (3, M+-OH), and the rest of the fragmentation peaks appeared at m/z 369, 368 (base peak), 353 (4, M+ +1), 339, 314, 283, 274, 255, 213, 160, 145, 131, 123, 107, 105, 91, 81, 69, 55, 43, and 29. Anal. Calc. for C59H46N4O3 (%) (858.36); C, 82.49; H, 5.40; N, 6.52. Found; C, 82.53; H, 5.47; N, 6.67.
A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photograph of the ligand mixture, Figure 4, indicated that the aggregated particles that appeared as an Octopus-like morphology were self-assembled from spherical nanosized particles with an average diameter of 40 nm. Such morphology could be attributed to colloidal self-assembly, which relied solely on particle surface chemistry, based on both the hydrophobic–hydrophilic interaction mechanism and the presence of water [19].
3.3. Synthesis of metal complexes 5-8
An ethanolic solution of the appropriate metal salt, namely, Co(OAc)2. H2O, NiCl2.6H2O, Cu(OAc)2. H2O and Zn(OAc)2. 2H2O was heated with a mixture of the ligand and Et3N in 1,4-dioxan for 2 h, and the corresponding formed complex (5-8) was filtered and worked up (Figure 5). The synthesized metal(II) complexes are air-stable at room temperature, insoluble in water, chloroform, and most organic solvents but freely soluble in DMSO and DMF. The observed molar conductivity values for the 1.00 x 10-3 M DMSO solution at 25 ± 1°C for zinc and cobalt complexes are found to be 30 S⋅cm2⋅mol-1 and 33 S⋅cm2⋅mol-1, respectively, indicating a 1:1 electrolyte. The molar conductivity value of 90 S⋅cm2⋅mol-1 for the copper complex revealed a 1:2 electrolyte. However, the detected lower molar conductivity value of 14 S⋅cm2⋅mol-1 for the nickel complex estimated its nonelectrolyte nature [20]. The IR spectra of the ligand and its complexes showed broad bands in the range u 3466–3452 cm−1 assignable to the phenolic OH, the nonacoordinate NH2’s or water molecules associated with the complexes. The u C=Nstr of the ligand appeared at u 1625 cm-1. This band was slightly shifted to a lower wavenumber at u 1617 cm-1 in all metal complexes, confirming the participation of the azomethine' nitrogen in chelation. The complexes of copper 6, cobalt 7 and nickel 8 each showed strong bands at u 1602 cm-1, u 1601 cm-1 and u 1601 cm-1, respectively, attributed to the keto group. However, in the case of zinc complex 5, u C=O was not observed, indicating the participation of the azomethine’s nitrogen in chelation, as suggested in the structure. Moreover, the bands at approximately u 1534- u 1536 cm-1 found only in complexes 6-8 were attributed to the u NH–C=C–C=Ostr tautomer. The prepared ligand band at u 1322 cm−1 assigned to u (C–O) was shifted to a lower wavenumber ranging in all complexes at u 1302-1309 cm-1. Bands associated with M-N and M-O bonds were assigned, respectively, at u 449 cm-1, u 553 cm-1 for complex 5, u 417 cm-1, u 554 cm-1 for complex 6, at u 452 cm-1, u 557 cm-1 for complex 7 and u 417 cm-1, u 554 cm-1 for complex 8 [21].
3.4. Magnetic moment and electronic absorption spectra
Magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out on the complexes in the solid-state at room temperature. The UV–Vis spectra of the complexes were recorded in DMSO solution. The electronic spectrum of the prepared ligand in DMSO displayed intense bands at 274, 323 (sh), 339 (sh), 388 (sh), 444 and 468 nm. The former two bands could be assigned to p–p* transitions, while the latter could be assigned to charge transfer transitions. The effective magnetic moment of zero for zinc complex 5 confirms its diamagnetic nature, while the single high-intensity band at 468 nm could be assigned to charge transfer rather than a d–d transition. The Zn(II) complex is found to be diamagnetic, as expected for the d10 configuration, and an octahedral geometry is proposed for this complex. The electronic spectrum of copper complex 7 exhibited bands at 690 and 550 nm, which may be assigned to 2B1 g ® 2 Eg and 2B1 g ® 2A1 g, respectively [22]. These bands favored distorted octahedral geometry around the Cu(II) ion and were supported by the magnetic moment value of 2.16 BM [23]. Moreover, the meff value of nickel complex 8 is 4.06 B.M. which agrees with the reported values for octahedral, tetrahedral, or high spin five coordinate nickel(II) complexes. The electronic spectrum of nickel complex 8 in DMSO shows absorption bands at 323, 340, 361, 442, and 471 nm. Transitions assigned to 3A2 g ® 3T1 g (F) and 3A2 g (F) ® 3T1 g (P) are hidden by the very intense charge transfer and ligand absorption bands. The meff value of cobalt(II) complex 6 is 5.06 B.M., suggesting an octahedral environment for Co(II) [24]. The electronic spectrum of the cobalt complex in DMSO shows absorption bands at 323, 361, 442, 470, and 992 nm. The latter d–d transition in the visible region is assigned to 4T1 g (F) ® 4A2 g(P) [25].
3.5. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra
The X-band EPR spectrum of Cu(II) complex 7 at room temperature (Figure 6) is anisotropic with a parallel and perpendicular spin being assignable. The copper complex exhibited a g∥ value of 2.373 and g⊥ value of 2.077. The axial pattern with g∥ > g⊥. implying that the unpaired electron resides in dx2-y2 with 2B1 g as the ground state. This spectral feature is consistent with the octahedral arrangement around Cu(II) [26]. The complex exhibited a value of gav = 2.17, and deviation from gav suggested the high covalence property of the complexes with distorted symmetry. The parameter G was found to be higher than 4 (G= 4.84), indicating negligible exchange interaction of Cu-Cu in the complex [27]. Thus, based on the EPR analysis of the investigated Cu(II) complex 7, the greater gav value indicated the presence of Cu-O and Cu-N bonds in these chelates [28].
3.5. Thermal analysis
The thermogravimetric (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) plots of the prepared ligand and its investigated metal complexes 5-8 in the range of 25 °C–700 °C under N2 and their stepwise thermal postulated degradation data are compiled in Table 1. The TGA/DTG curve of the ligand exhibited three successive decompositions at 200 °C, 375 °C and 515 °C, attributed to the elimination of water molecules, cleavage of the diphenyl-methylene linkage and further elimination of the phenyl moiety leaving C11H9 as a residue. The TGA profile of zinc complex 5 showed two decomposition steps; the first process at 150 °C may be related to dehydration of water molecules and elimination of nonacoordinate -OAc groups and NH2 groups (Calc. 11.32 %; Found 11.96 %). The second decomposition step at 450 °C may correspond to the cleavage of the diphenyl-methylene fragments (Calc 34.28 %; Found 33.59 %), leaving mass residue assigned as C35H21N2Zn (Calc. 54.48 %; Found 51.78 %). The thermal profile of complex 6 exhibited three significant thermal events within the temperature range of 25–700 °C. The first revealed an exothermic peak with a mass loss of 9.19 % (Calc. 9.36 %) at 216 °C, corresponding to the elimination of adsorbed water, the coordinated OAc group and the NH2 group. The second decomposition step occurred at 450 °C (mass loss not determined), and the major fragmentation step took place up to 690 °C with a mass loss of 45.94 % (Calc. 46.12 %) attributed to the loss of C35H24N. The residual mass could be assigned to C24H20N22O3 Calc 44.40 %; Found 44.48 %). Decomposition of copper complex 7 proceeded in one main broad step occurring in the temperature range 311–690 °C with a total mass loss of 54.63 %, attributed to the loss of the hydrated bis-ligand moiety leaving a remaining mass residue C26H21N2O2Cu (Calc. 43.60 %; Found 42.06 %). The thermal profile of complex 8 exhibited four thermal fragmentation steps within the temperature range of 25 C–700 °C. The first revealed an exothermic peak with a mass loss of 8.63 % (Calc. 7.97 %) at 200 °C, corresponding to the dehydration of adsorbed water molecules. The successive second and third decomposition steps occurred at 460 °C and 550 C (mass loss not determined), and the major fragmentation step took place at 690 °C with a mass loss of 55.93 % (Calc. 55.53 %) attributed to the loss of the dehydroxylated bis-ligand moiety. The residual mass was 34.83 % assigned to C10H8ClO2Ni (Calc. 34.25 %).
Table 1
Thermal analysis of mixed ligand 3 and their metal(II) complexes 5-8
Compound
|
Molar mass
|
TGA
range °C
|
DTG max
|
% Weight loss
(Calc)
|
Residue
|
Assignment
|
Prepared ligand=ligands mixture
|
858
|
23-275
275-450
450-700
|
200
375
515
|
4.30 (4.19)
53.24 (53. 37)
25.57(25.99)
|
16.05 (16. 90)
|
2H2O
C30H26N4O
C18H7
Res.: C11H9
|
5
|
980
|
23-225
375-700
|
150
450
|
11.96(11.32)
33.59(34.28)
|
51.78(54.48)
|
-OAc, 2H2O, NH2
C24H18NO
Res.: C35H21N2Zn
|
6
|
993
|
216
450
690
|
110
375
450
|
9.19(9.36)
45.94(46.12)
|
44.48(44.40)
|
-OAc, H2O, NH2
C35H24N
Res.:C24H20N2O3Co
|
7
|
1074
|
311
690
|
380
525
|
3.31(3.43)
54.63(54.09)
|
42.06(43.60)
|
2H2O
C37H29N2O5
Res.: C26H21N2O2Cu
|
8
|
688
|
200
450
550
690
|
39
455
555
|
8.635(7.80)
ND
ND
55.93(55.45)
|
34.83(36.90)
|
3H2O
C25H18N2Cl
Res.: C10H8ClO2Ni
|
3.7. Antimicrobial Activity
The prepared ligand and its metal(II) complexes were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against two strains, gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. faecalis), gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and pathogenic fungi (C. albicans), using DMSO as a negative control. Tetracycline was used as a positive standard for antibacterial activities, and amphotericin B was used as a positive standard for antifungal activities. The obtained antimicrobial results are presented in Table 2. The data showed that the prepared ligand and the Co(II) complex have no efficacy against these microbes, while the Cu(II) complex showed reasonable activity against only E. coli. Both Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes exhibited comparable moderate activities towards all studied microbes. Notably, the octahedral Ni(II) complex exhibited a sole moderate antifungal activity, whereas all other samples had no activities towards the studied fungus. The increased activity of the metal chelates can be explained based on the overtone concept and chelation theory [29], in which metal chelates deactivate various cellular enzymes that play a vital role in various metabolic pathways of these microorganisms. Nevertheless, the variation in the activity of different metal complexes against different microorganisms depends on the impermeability of the cells of the microbes or differences in ribosomes in microbial cells [30]. The higher antimicrobial activity of the nickel(II) complex relative to other metal complexes may be due to its structure, where the octahedral nickel(II) complex is formed from the coordination of the bis ligand 3 only to the nickel(II) center, as shown in Figure 5. However, the other investigated octahedral metal(II) complexes are formed from both ligand mixtures, and this may form nickel(II)-ligand bonds stronger than other M(II)–ligand bonds, which in turn increases the lipophilic character of nickel(II) complexes and favors permeation through the microbial cell membrane, thus destroying them more aggressively. In conclusion, the less bulky octahedral nickel(II) complex enhances its rate of uptake/entrance and thus increases its antimicrobial activity.
Table 2
Antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its metal (II) complexes
Sample
|
Inhibition zone diameter (mm/mg sample)
|
E.Coli
|
P.aeruginosa
|
S.aureus
|
S.faecalis
|
C.albicans
|
Control: DMSO
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
Tetracycline
Antibacterial agent
|
32
|
33
|
32
|
33
|
-------
|
Amphotericin B
Antifungal agent
|
|
----------
|
--------
|
------
|
20
|
Ligand
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
Cobalt complex
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
Copper complex
|
12
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
anil
|
Zinc complex
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
11
|
anil
|
Nickel complex
|
11
|
13
|
12
|
12
|
13
|
a nil = zero inhibition
3.8. Antioxidant activities
Oxidative stress is a result of a free radical/antioxidant imbalance that negatively deregulates a cascade of cellular reactions leading to tissue injury and various pathological disorders. This imbalance can damage vital biomolecules, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and DNA, accelerating cellular death as the basis of several pathological consequences [31]. Antioxidants have a crucial role in the human body to slow oxidative stress and its harmful effects. Antioxidant compounds can
scavenge of free radicals and lipid peroxidation repairing the cell damage and retarding the progress of various diseases induced by oxidative damage [32]. In this study, the antioxidant capacities of the ligand and its metal complexes were measured using vitamin C as a standard to evaluate the antioxidant properties of these synthesized compounds.
3.8.1. DPPH radical scavenging activity
The percentage of the radical scavenging activity of the ligand and its metal complexes (Cu, Zn, Ni, Co) were evaluated using vitamin C as a standard (Table 3, Figure 7). Free ligand showed the lowest antioxidant activity when compared to all metal complexes at different concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mg/mL DMSO). Complexation with metals significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced the free radical scavenging capacity. The nickel complex showed the highest DPPH activity (IC50 values 0.25 mg/mL), followed by zinc (IC50 values 0.32 mg/mL), copper (IC50 values 0.35 mg/mL) and cobalt complex (IC50 values; 0.45 mg/mL). The free radical scavenging activity of these complexes was significantly lower than (p<0.01) that of vitamin C (IC50 value 0.145 mg/mL). The obtained data demonstrated that the antioxidant activity of the investigated compounds against DPPH radicals was concentration dependent, in agreement with the reported results that showed the antioxidant capacity of the Schiff base ligand, and their complexes increased with the concentration of the compounds [33]. The oxidant activity was reversed by these Schiff base complexes due to their ability to reduce the radicals, preventing their harmful effect. The capacity of antioxidants depends on their way to neutralize the radicals that are produced in biological systems by donating an electron [34].
Table 3
The effect of ligand and its complexes cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) on the antioxidant DPPH at different concentrations (0.05 –0. 5 mg/mL)
Concentration
|
Parameters
|
|
|
Ligand
|
CO
|
Cu
|
Zn
|
Ni
|
Standard
|
|
0.05
|
11.5±0.95
|
14.8±1.15
|
23.03±0.74
|
26.63±0.86
|
29.73±0.45
|
38.1±1.25
|
|
0.1
|
17.53±0.85
|
23.5±1.11
|
30.23±0.49
|
32.5 ±0.66
|
37.1±1.18
|
46.87±0.44
|
|
0.2
|
25.33 ± 0.81
|
30. 3± 0.81
|
38.07±0.61
|
39.47 ± 0.6
|
46.67± 0.86
|
55.6± 0.7
|
|
0.3
|
31.13 ± 0.65
|
37.83 ± 0.61
|
44.91 ± 0.66
|
47.83± 0.83
|
52.67 ± 1.21
|
66.93 ± 1.46
|
|
0.4
|
38.83± 0.81
|
45.23 ± 1.12
|
54.0 ± 0.95
|
56.53 ± 0.71
|
64.87 ± 0.73
|
79.27 ± 0.76
|
|
0.5
|
44.43 ± 0.70
|
50.23 ± 0.38
|
62.40± 1.21
|
65.43± 0.85
|
74.53± 1.1
|
88.73± 1.46
|
|
3.8.2. Nitric oxide scavenging activities
Nitric oxide (NO) plays an essential bioregulatory role in several biochemical processes, such as the immune response and neural signal transmission. However, the excessive production of NO is cytotoxic and induces various physiopathological conditions, including cancer. It reacts with superoxide radicals to form highly reactive peroxynitrite anions, which can induce lipid peroxidation and interfere with cellular signaling, causing damage to cellular proteins [35]. Additionally, NO is involved in apoptosis induction, cell cycle interruption, DNA disruption and protein modification [35b]. The NO inhibitory effect of the ligand and its metal complexes was detected using ascorbic acid as a standard (Table 4 and Figure 8). The scavenging effect of the metal complexes (Co, Cu, Zn, Ni) was more significant (p < 0.01) than that of the free ligand. The inhibition ratio of the free ligand and its complexes was concentration dependent, in agreement with the literature [33a], where the percentage of NO suppression increased with increasing sample concentration. Ascorbic acid showed the highest oxidant scavenging ability compared to all the synthetic compounds at p < 0.0. The nickel complex showed the most effective metal (IC50 = 0.16 mg/mL), while Cobalt exhibited the lowest effect (IC50 = 0.38 mg/m). The complexes may have the ability to counteract the harmful effect of NO formation by repairing the damaging effects of excessive NO generation, which may be important for protecting human health.
Table 4
The effect of ligand and its complexes on antioxidant nitric acid (NO) at different concentrations (0.05 –0. 5 mg/mL)
Concentration
|
Parameters
|
|
|
Ligand
|
CO
|
Cu
|
Zn
|
Ni
|
Standard
|
|
0.05
|
15.8±0.78
|
25.5±0.80
|
29.3±0.95
|
33.03±0.64
|
37.27±0.91
|
42.13±0.91
|
|
0.1
|
21.37±1.38
|
30.37±0.7
|
35.4±0.96
|
39.37±0.81
|
47.0±1.44
|
51.27±0.44
|
|
0.2
|
27.13 ± 1.58
|
35.9± 1.54
|
44.77±1.36
|
48.23 ± 0.96
|
55.4± 0.98
|
61.57± 2.1
|
|
0.3
|
37.27 ± 0.97
|
41.87 ± 1.46
|
48.73 ± 0.45
|
57.43± 1.36
|
63.4 ± 1.04
|
68.53± 1.01
|
|
0.4
|
42.7± 1.78
|
51.07 ± 1.4
|
55.0 ± 1.64
|
64.53 ± 1.26
|
68.33 ± 1.0
|
78.53 ± 0.74
|
|
0.5
|
47.65± 1.49
|
60.07 ± 1.47
|
65.07± 1.4
|
69.47± 0.76
|
74.57± 1.9
|
85.17± 1.35
|
|
3.8.3. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS)
Lipids play an essential role in cell membrane structure and function. All body biochemical, immunological, and physiological processes are associated with structural and functional biological membranes. The peroxidative reaction of the lipid component of cellular membranes by free radicals results in lipid peroxidation [36]. LPO has a serious role in triggering many pathological disorders by degrading cellular membrane integrity and leakage of cytoplasmic components. Free radical scavenging is a common system that inhibits lipid peroxidation in the body by antioxidants [37]. The TBARS assay is the most widely used method for determining the lipid peroxidation process. MDA is produced by the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which react with TBA [38]. A TBARS assay was performed to detect the capacity of the free ligand and its complexes to inhibit lipid peroxidation using ascorbic acid as a standard. All components showed a significant inhibitory effect against oxidative stress at p < 0.01. All the complexes significantly diminished the TBARS level compared to their parent ligand (Table 5, Figure 9), explaining the ability of these compounds to reverse oxidative stress. The ligand, metal complexes and ascorbic acid exerted their radical inhibitory effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results showed that chelation with metal ions is effective in the termination of lipid peroxidation. Nickel complexes exhibited the highest inhibition of the TBARS ratio (IC50 = 0.26 mg/mL), while cobalt showed the lowest percentage (IC50 = 0.48 mg/mL) at p < 0.01. The inhibition in the levels of TBARS may reflect the antioxidant capacity of these compounds.
Table 5
The effect of ligand and its complexes on antioxidant reducing power at different concentrations (0.05 –0. 5 mg/mL)
Concentration
|
Parameters
|
|
|
Ligand
|
CO
|
Cu
|
Zn
|
Ni
|
Standard
|
|
0.05
|
0.10±0.01
|
0.19±0.02
|
0.25±0.01
|
0.32±0.01
|
0.40±0.01
|
0.72±0.02
|
|
0.1
|
0.13±0.001
|
0.22±0.001
|
0.28±0.01
|
0.36±0.01
|
0.45±0.01
|
1.12±0.04
|
|
0.2
|
0.17 ± 0.01
|
0.25± 0.01
|
0.32±0.01
|
0.40 ± 0.01
|
0.49± 0.02
|
1.34± 0.04
|
|
0.3
|
0.20± 0.01
|
0.30 ± 0.01
|
0.37 ± 0.01
|
0.44± 0.02
|
0.52 ± 0.01
|
1.52±0.04
|
|
0.4
|
0.23± 0.001
|
0.32± 0.01
|
0.40 ± 0.01
|
0.49 ± 0.01
|
0.59 ± 0.01
|
1.76 ± 0.04
|
|
0.5
|
0.29 ± 0.01
|
0.37 ± 0.01
|
0.45± 0.01
|
0.54± 0.01
|
0.79± 0.01
|
1.94± 0.05
|
|
3.8.4. Reducing Power
Iron plays an essential role in several biochemical processes, including drug metabolism, cell respiration and oxygen transport. However, iron is also involved in various biochemical oxidation reactions, which are implicated in pathological disorders such as atherosclerosis and neurodegeneration. Therefore, any compound that interacts with iron and stops its oxidative reactions with biological molecules can be used as an antioxidant agent. Compounds that have iron reducing power and act as iron chelating agents can be used for the treatment of ferric-induced diseases such as hemochromatosis, which results in Fe3+ accumulation. The Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes could be used as antioxidants to stress the oxidative damage induced by iron [34a]. The reducing power reflects the capacity of compounds to donate electrons, modulate the oxidation/reduction reaction of the radicals and reflect their antioxidant activity. In the ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay, the increase in the absorbance indicates an increase in the reducing capacity of the antioxidant compounds [32]. Generally, the reducing properties depend on the presence of the reductant. The ferric reducing power mechanism responsible for antioxidant properties explained the effect of the compound on the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) to evaluate the antioxidant capacity [39]. The Schiff bases had a potent Fe3+ reducing activity and electron donor properties for stabilizing and neutralizing free radicals and reactive oxygen species [40]. Figure 10 shows that the synthesized compounds and ascorbic acid changed the ferric yellow color to various shades of blue at 700 nm, depending on the reducing capacity of each compound. The higher absorbance indicates the stronger reducing abilities and antioxidant activity of the samples. The Schiff base ligand exerted a significantly (p < 0.01) lower reducing power than metal complexes, Table 6. Among the complexes, the nickel metal complex showed the highest significant reducing activity (better Fe2+-chelator) at p < 0.01. The increase in absorbance of our compounds indicates their ability to reduce Fe3+ ions, which may be due to their ability to donate electrons. According to the results, ascorbic acid showed the highest reducing activity when compared to the Schiff base ligand and its complexes. All the components exhibited strong concentration-dependent antioxidant scavenging properties in agreement with those reported in the literature [41], where Schiff base metal complexes have a stronger reducing capacity than the ligand depending on their concentration.
Table 6
The effect of ligand and its complexes on antioxidant RBCs at different concentrations (0.05 –0. 5 mg/mL)
Concentration
|
Parameters
|
|
|
Ligand
|
CO
|
Cu
|
Zn
|
Ni
|
Standard
|
|
0.05
|
11.76±1.01
|
19.52±0.64
|
27.48±0.52
|
24.43±1.04
|
35.06±0.15
|
44.41±0.76
|
|
0.1
|
19.82±0.75
|
26.97±1.21
|
33.66±0.75
|
29.30±0.72
|
41.66±1.0
|
49.44±0.83
|
|
0.2
|
26.93±0.44
|
34.84± 0.90
|
42.28±0.73
|
38.57± 0.86
|
48.65± 0.86
|
55.96± 1.25
|
|
0.3
|
32.67± 0.80
|
45.35± 0.67
|
52.55± 0.77
|
49.27±1.11
|
56.64± 0.84
|
62.46± 0.96
|
|
0.4
|
38.48± 1.16
|
50.58±0.81
|
59.27± 0.96
|
55.88 ±1.31
|
66.57 ± 0.61
|
69.69 ± 0.62
|
|
0.5
|
43.42± 0.68
|
55.72± 0.86
|
65.43± 0.71
|
61.17±1.35
|
73.56± 0.60
|
83.29± 0.53
|
|
AChE activity
Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) is mainly found in the central nervous system (CNS) and hydrolyzes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to choline. The hyperactivation of AChE and ACh deficiency is associated with cholinergic neuron dysfunction and abnormal neurotransmission. Therefore, AChE hyperactivity plays a pathogenic role in the induction of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Pharmacological research for drug screening to resist AD pathogenesis has focused on AChE suppression to improve neurotransmission and cholinergic deficits. Some Schiff bases can inhibit AChE, improving neurotransmission. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors boost memory and cognitive functions and have been considered a strategy for the therapy of dementia and AD [42]. The free ligand and its complexes showed a significant (p < 0.01) inhibitory effect against AChE (Table 7, Figure 11). All the tested compounds inhibited the enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner. The copper complex exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect with IC50 = 0.34 mg/mL, while cobalt showed a lower AChE inhibitory effect with IC50= 0.56 mg/mL. These results are in concordance with the literature [43], where the Schiff base ligand and its complexes (Fe, Ru, Co and Pd) have inhibitory effects against AChE activity.
Table 7
The effect of ligand and its complexes cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) on the antioxidant AChE at different concentrations (0.05 –0. 5 mg/mL)
Concentration
|
Parameters
|
|
|
Ligand
|
CO
|
Cu
|
Zn
|
Ni
|
Standard
|
|
0.05
|
17.70±1.04
|
20.27±1.15
|
28.27±0.80
|
22.47±0.80
|
26.20±0.85
|
47.60±0.61
|
|
0.1
|
21.83±1.5
|
25.50±1.15
|
35.23±0.81
|
27.93±1.38
|
32.73±1.46
|
58.1±0.95
|
|
0.2
|
27.27±1.16
|
31.30± 1.01
|
42.17±1.79
|
36.63±1.26
|
39.53±0.85
|
67.07±1.48
|
|
0.3
|
32.90±1.61
|
36.60±0.75
|
48.43±0.80
|
42.53±0.85
|
45.60±0.89
|
78.83±1.14
|
|
0.4
|
38.57±1.0
|
41.47±0.76
|
54.27±1.07
|
47.33 ±1.1
|
51.37±1.36
|
87.50±0.96
|
|
0.5
|
41.97±1.08
|
45.43±0.65
|
58.77±0.81
|
52.13±0.85
|
56. 3±0.75
|
93.67±1.37
|
|
Membrane stabilization activities
In several pathological disorders, such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and malaria, RBC membranes are hemolyzed, releasing their hemoglobin [44]. Erythrocyte is very sensitive to oxidative stress and hemolysis due to its high concentration of oxygen and high polyunsaturated content. Therefore, antioxidant supplementation might strengthen the radical defense system of RBCs [45]. In this result, the Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes significantly (p < 0.01) suppressed the erythrocyte membrane lysis induced by hypotonic solution, offering strong protection against RBC hemolysis and cell damage induced by inflammatory agents. The nickel complex showed the highest antihemolytic activity toward RBCs (IC50=0.21 mg/mL). The standard NSAID showed a significantly higher antihemolytic activity (IC50=0.12 mg/mL) than the Schiff base compounds. All the compounds exhibited concentration-dependent effects. Our synthetic compounds can improve the integrity of the cells and stability of their membranes. The membrane stabilizing activity of these compounds may be related to their antioxidant capacity to protect against cytotoxicity.
Total Antioxidant Capacity
The antioxidant substances are capable of counteracting the damage caused by oxidative stress due to free radical propagation. Natural and synthetic antioxidants are used to protect against oxidant molecules and delay their deterioration. Additionally, antioxidants repair the risk of several diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, eye disorders, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and aging diseases [39b]. In the current study, the total antioxidant activity of the Schiff base ligand was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of all the complexes (Figure 12), presenting protection against oxidative stress-induced tissue damage. Among these complexes, the Ni complex exhibited a stronger total antioxidant capacity (66.28 μg/mg ±2.51) than the other complexes (Zn, Cu and Co) at p < 0.01. These results are in line with those reported in the literature [46], which demonstrated that the total antioxidant activity of Schiff base ligands was lower than that of Cu complexes through the phosphor molybdenum experiment and that the total antioxidant ability of Schiff base ligands and their metal complexes (Ni, Co, Cu, and Zn) was dose-dependent in the molybdenum assay at different concentrations. The existence of a Schiff base and -OH groups also has an impact on the DPPH radical scavenging efficiency. Antioxidant mensuration from the attended compounds explained that the OH functional groups as well the existence of electron donation significantly impacted the radical scavenging efficiency from phenolic Schiff bases. The higher antioxidant activity of the complexes is due to the acquisition of additional superoxide dismutation centers, which causes an increase in the molecule’s ability to stabilize unpaired electrons and therefore to scavenge free radicals. Cu+2 and Zn+2, Co+2 ions coordinated to the keto enol functionality of the prepared ligand alter the antioxidant activity of the prepared ligand. Spectroscopic investigations of the complexes point towards metal coordination at the keto enol moiety of the prepared ligand. Thus, the hydroxy groups are able to participate in free radical scavenging activity. Moreover, vitamin C has the highest total antioxidant capacity compared to Schiff base ligands and their complexes [46].