A novel naringenin Schiff base ligand (1,2-di(4′-iminonaringenin)ethane, H₆L) and its three transition metal complexes [Cu(II) complex (1), Zn(II) complex (2), and Ni(II) complex (3)] have been prepared and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, ¹H-NMR, mass spectra, UV–vis spectra, and IR spectra. The DNA-binding properties of the ligand and its complexes have been investigated by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, ethidium bromide (EB) displacement experiments, and viscosity measurement. The results indicated that the ligand and its complexes can bind to DNA. The binding affinity of the Cu(II) complex (1) is higher than that of the ligand and the other two complexes. The intrinsic binding constant (K_b) of the complex (1) is 3.3×10⁶. In addition, the suppression ratio for O₂^−· and HO^· was determined. The 50% inhibition obtained for the ligand and its three complexes demonstrates that, compared to the ligand, the complexes exhibit higher antioxidative activity in the suppression of O₂^−· and HO^·.