Luotonin A (L), a novel natural cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory alkaloid, chelated with copper(II) to improve its cytotoxic effect against the cancer cells. The complexes [Cu(L)H(2)OCl]Cl (1) and [Cu(L)(2)]Cl(2) (2) are prepared by using copper(II) chloride and L with ligand/metal molar ratio of 1:1 and 2:1 respectively. A solution of complexes 1 &2 are characterized by physical spectroscopic methods using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform-Infra red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Electron Para magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (EPR) and by electrochemical methods. The interaction of these complexes 1 &2 with calf thymus (CT-DNA) have been investigated by physical methods to propose the modes of DNA binding with the complexes 1 &2. Absorption spectral titration studies of complex 1 with CT-DNA shows a red-shift of 5nm with the DNA binding affinity of K(b), 8.65x10(3)M(-1), but complex 2does not show any red-shift with binding constant K(b), 7.32x10(3)M(-1) reveals that the complex 1 binding with DNA strongly than complex 2 and the binding occurs in between the base pairs of DNA as intercalation. Strong interactions of the two complexes 1 & 2 with CT-DNA have also been confirmed by fluorescence spectral titration studies. The evaluated values of K(SV) and K(ass) shows that, the complexes 1 &2 interact with DNA through the intercalation, coincide with other partial intercalators strongly than the free ligand L. Complex 1 exhibits potent antioxidant activity with SC(50) value of 23.9+/-0.69muM is evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay and which has potent antimicrobial activity against pathogens than 2 and L. The anticancer activity of L, complexes 1 &2 against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) has also been studied by using fluorescence staining method. The IC(50) values of L, complexes 1&2 against MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines with the incubation time intervals of 24hrs are 1 (5.0+/-0.25, 12.0+/-0.30muM)<2 (6.5+/-0.27, 15.0+/-0.30muM)<L (7.0+/-0.15, 25.0+/-0.35muM) respectively. Interestingly, complex 1 exhibits anticancer activity more potent than L against both MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines. The result of anticancer activity studies show that the cytotoxic activity of L against MCF-7 and HeLa cells is increased, when chelated with Cu(II). CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.