Anticancer, antimicrobial, and DNA protection analysis of novel 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline dyes

Abstract

A new series of 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline derived disazo dyes has been synthesized by the reaction of 5-amino-4-phenylazo-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives with 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline. The structures of the obtained dyes were identified by various spectrophotometric methods such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were also examined for different biological activities, including DNA protection, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Compound 3b was found most effective on Gram-positive bacteria. A DNA protection assay was applied to all compounds, and it was found that compounds 3h and 3j had a high capacity for binding to DNA. Besides, compounds 3h and 3j showed cytotoxicity against HeLa and PC3 cancer cell lines. These compounds could potentially be used as drugs or drug additives based on their effects on bacterial and cancer cell lines.