Cytotoxicity and DNA Binding Ability of Two Novel Gold(III) Complexes

The interaction of two gold(III) complexes [Au(phen)Cl₂](Cl) (1) and [Au(pdon)Cl₂](Cl) (2) with calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by absorption and fluorescence emission. Both complexes 1 and 2 show medium interaction ability with CT–DNA with the intrinsic binding constants K_b of 4.98 × 10⁵ and 1.98 × 10⁵ M^–1 at room temperature, respectively, which is the same as earlier reports for typical classical intercalators. Moreover, complex 1 demonstrates a better antitumor effect on the tested cancer cells.