Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxic activity, and molecular docking of 3,4-diaminobenzophenone-CuhNFs and its major components-based nanoflowers

In this study, organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflower (hNFs) synthesis was realized using 3,4-diaminobenzophenone and Cu(II) metal ions as organic and inorganic ingredients, respectively. The characterization of the synthesized hNFs was carried out using SEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD, and elemental mapping. The cytotoxic effect of hNFs was investigated against A549 (lung) and MCF-7 (breast) cancer cell lines. Interactions of 3,4-diaminobenzophenone were also investigated via molecular docking studies at the binding site of the human estrogen receptor (PDB ID:3ERT) and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (PDB ID: 1M17). Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters for ligands that could be potential anticancer drug candidates were determined by ADME prediction calculations from in silico approaches. In vitro results showed an increase in cell death when the synthesized hybrid nanoflowers were applied against both cell lines, depending on the concentrations tested. Additionally, it was determined that the synthesized nanoflower was more effective on the MCF-7 cell line.