Synthesis, DFT studies, molecular docking, antimicrobial screening and UV fluorescence studies on ct-DNA for novel Schiff bases of 2-(1-aminobenzyl) benzimidazole

Novel Schiff bases (SBs) were synthesized by condensation of 2-(1-Amino benzyl) benzimidazole with heterocyclic and aromatic carbonyl compounds. The structural characterization was done using (1)H, (13)C NMR, FTIR and ES-MS spectroscopic techniques. The in silico pharmacokinetics showed that nearly all compounds obeyed Lipinski rule of 5 with low toxicity and metabolic stability. The global reactivity descriptors were calculated using DFT approach. The molecular docking result of SBs with ct-DNA suggested interaction via groove binding mode. The antibacterial activity was tested against S. aureus and E. coli, indicated significant inhibition than reference drug. The compound 4d gave best results at 50 μg ml(−1) concentrations. UV/Vis and Fluorescence spectroscopy tools were used to evaluate ct-DNA binding ability of compounds 4a–e through hypochromic shift. The steady state fluorescence predicted a moderate binding constant of 1.12 × 10(4) for 4d, indicative of non-intercalative mode.