Investigation of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Properties of Substituted Phenethylamine-Based Imine and Metal Complexes

Imine is a bioactive molecule formed by the reaction of primary amine with aldehyde or ketone. Imines can form stable complexes with metals due to a C = N group in their structures. These complexes have antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Based on the literature data, this study synthesized substituted phenethylamine-based imine compounds copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) metal complexes. The synthesized imine-metal complexes' antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity of the metal complexes was tested against pathogens using the disk diffusion method. No antimicrobial activity was observed for the metal complexes. The anticancer activity of the metal complexes was investigated on lung cancer cell line (A549) and healthy dermal fibroblast cell line (HDF) using WST-8 and SRB assay methods. The results revealed dose-dependent anticancer activity of the metal complexes in the A549 cell line, with IC50 values ​​ranging from 43.65 to 99.36 µg/mL. Additionally, dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of the compounds were observed in HDF cells. The responses of the compounds to free radicals and oxidative stress were evaluated using ABTS and CUPRAC methods. However, no antioxidant activity was detected for the metal complexes. Based on these analyses, it is predicted that imine-metal complexes may be potential candidates as anticancer agents.