Design, synthesis, and spectroscopic and structural characterization of a pyridine-derived Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes: evaluation of antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory effects, and molecular docking analyses

Abstract

In this study, novel Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of a pyridine-substituted Schiff base (L) were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic, thermal, and physicochemical methods. The results suggested that both complexes adopted a distorted octahedral geometry and exhibited non-electrolytic behavior. The biological activities of the Schiff base and its novel Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes, along with previously synthesized Pd(II) and Ru(II) metal complexes, were evaluated for their antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties. While Ru(II) and Pd(II) complexes showed notable antioxidant activity, Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes exhibited stronger pancreatic lipase inhibition. Overall, the findings indicate that these metal complexes possess promising enzyme inhibitory potential along with moderate antioxidant activity.