Metal-Based Drugs 
Volume 7 (2000), Issue 6, Pages 365-370
doi:10.1155/MBD.2000.365

Development of Novel DNA Cleavage Systems Based on Copper Complexes. Synthesis and Characterisation of Cu(II) Complexes of Hydroxyflavones

F. Ben-Allal el Amrani,1 L. Perelló,1 J. Borrás,1 and L. Torres2

1Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Valencia, Faculty of Pharmacy, Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, Burjassot (Valencia) E- 46100, Spain
2Department of Biochemistry, University of Valencia, Faculty of Pharmacy, Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, Burjassot (Valencia) E- 46100, Spain

Received 21 February 2001; Accepted 28 February 2001

Abstract

Copper(II) complexes of several hydroxyflavones were prepared and characterised through their physico-chemical properties. The nuclease activity of three synthesised complexes is reported. These copper(II) complexes present more nuclease activity than the ligands and the copper(II) ion.