In this study, three new organic ligands N'-(benzylidene)-6-chloropyrazine-2-carbohydrazonamide (L₁), 6-chloro-N'-(4-nitrobenzylidene)picolinohydrazonamide(L₂), and N'-(benzylidene)-4-chloropicolinohydrazonamide (L₃) and three copper coordination compounds (Cu(L₁)Cl₂, Cu(L₂)Cl₂ and Cu(L₃)Cl₂) based on them were synthesized. All obtained compounds were characterized using appropriate analytical techniques: elemental analysis (EA), thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and flame-atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS). These methods of physicochemical analyses helped to assume that the complexation in three cases proceeds in a bidentate manner. The X-ray investigation confirmed the synthesis pathway and molecular structures for L₁ and L₃ ligands. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained compounds was then comprehensively investigated, where Cu(L₃)Cl₂ showed the strongest antibacterial properties against all tested bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli). LN229 human glioma cells and BJ human normal fibroblasts cells were treated with tested compounds and their cytotoxicity was evaluated with MTT test. The effect of complexing on antitumor activity has been investigated. The ligand L₁ and its complex showed similar activity against normal cells while complexation increases toxicity against cancer cells in concentrations of 50 and 100 μM. For the one pair of ligand/complex compounds the apoptosis detection, cell cycle analysis and gene expression analysis (qRT-PCR) were performed. Cu(L₁)Cl₂ showed the stronger toxic effect in comparison with L₁ due to the population of early apoptotic cells which revealed metabolic activity in MTT assay.

Developing new, smart drugs with the anticancer activity is crucial, especially for cancers, which cause the highest mortality in humans. In this paper we describe a series of coordination compounds with the element of health, zinc, and bioactive ligands, benzimidazole derivatives. By way of synthesis we have obtained four compounds named C1, C2, C4 and C4. Analytical analyses (elemental analysis (EA), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS)), spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectrometry (MS)) and thermogravimetric (TG) methods and the definition of crystal structures were used to explore the nature of bonding and to elucidate the chemical structures. The collected analytical data allowed the determination of the stoichiometry in coordination compounds, thermal stability, crystal structure and way of bonding. The cytotoxicity effect of the new compounds as a potential antitumor agent on the glioblastoma (T98G), neuroblastoma (SK-N-AS) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cell lines and human normal skin fibroblasts (CCD-1059Sk) was also determined. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. The results obtained confirmed that conversion of ligands into the respective metal complexes significantly improved their anticancer properties. The complexes were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The ADME technique was used to determine the physicochemical and biological properties.

The pollution of urban soils by metals is a global problem. Prolonged exposure of habitants who are in contact with metals retained in soil poses a health risk. This particularly applies to industrialized cities with developed transport networks. The aim of the study was to determine the content and spatial distribution of mobile metal fractions in soils of the city of Łódź and to identify their load and sources. Multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA)), combined with GIS, were used to make a comprehensive evaluation of the soil contamination. Hot-spots and differences between urban and suburban areas were also investigated. Metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after soil extraction with 1 mol L⁻¹ HCl. In most sites, the metal content changes in the following order: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd. About one-third of the samples are considerably (or very highly) contaminated, (contamination factor, CF > 3) with Cu, Pb, or Zn. In almost 40% of the samples, contaminated soils were found (pollution load index, PLI > 1). All metals have a strong influence on the first principal component (PC1), whereas second principal component (PC2) is related to pH. Polluted soils are located in the downtown, in the south and east part of the city. The distribution of contamination coincides with the urban layout, low emission sources and former industrial areas of Łódź.