Copper(II) complexes with bioactive carboxyamide: synthesis, characterization and biological activity

The Impact of Copper Ions on the Activity of Antibiotic Drugs

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace metal and its concentration in body plasma is tightly regulated. An increase in Cu concentration in body fluids is observed in numerous pathological conditions, including infections caused by microorganisms. Evidence shows that Cu ions can impact the activity of antibiotics by increasing efficiency or diminishing/neutralizing antibiotic activity, forming complexes which may lead to antibiotic structure degradation. Herein, we represent the evidence available on Cu-antibiotic interactions and their possible impact on antimicrobial therapy efficiency. So far, in vitro studies described interactions between Cu ions and the majority of antibiotics in clinical use: penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, macrolides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, isoniazid, metronidazole. In vitro-described degradation or lower antimicrobial activity of amoxicillin, ampicillin, cefaclor, ceftriaxone, and meropenem in the presence of Cu ions suggest caution when using prescribed antibiotics in patients with altered Cu levels. On the other hand, several Cu-dependent compounds with antibacterial activity including the drug-resistant bacteria were discovered, such as thiosemicarbazones, disulfiram, dithiocarbamates, 8-hydroxiquinoline, phenanthrolines, pyrithione. Having in mind that the development of new antibiotics is already marked as inadequate and does not meet global needs, the potential of Cu-antibiotic interactions to change the efficiency of antimicrobial therapy requires further investigation.

Antibacterial activity of naphthyl derived bis-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonate) copper(II) complexes against multidrug-resistant bacteria

In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of three novel copper(II) complexes of naphthyl derived 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone chelators. Their antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative reference strains and multidrug-resistant clinical isolates was assessed through determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The complex Cu(naph1pp)₂ shows the highest antibacterial activity, including against multidrug-resistant isolates, nonetheless, being more active against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. Cu(naph1pp)₂ was further explored in combinatorial tests with ciprofloxacin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE). The combination of Cu(naph1pp)₂ and ciprofloxacin is considered additive, i.e., the effect of the two compounds combined is stronger than that of the individual compounds in the equivalent concentration.

Copper(ii) complexes with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles as effective inhibitors of quorum sensing activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Copper(ii) complexes with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles are a new class of quorum sensing inhibitors that attenuate virulence without a pronounced effect on the bacterial growth, thus offering a lower risk for resistance development.

Antifungal activity of the Algerian Lawsonia inermis (henna)

CONTEXT

Lawsonia inermis Linn. (Lythraceae) or henna has been used since the earliest times as a medicine, preservative, and cosmetic. It has long been recommended in traditional medicine as an astringent, purgative, and abortifacient.

OBJECTIVE

Lawsone and six extracts of L. inermis plant, used by Algerian traditional healers to treat infectious diseases, were screened for their antifungal activity against filamentous fungi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Water and five organic extracts - DMSO, ethanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and di-ethyl ether - of L. inermis leaves, collected in the area of Adrar (Algeria), were prepared by soaking 25 g of powdered plant in 100 mL of solvent. The extracts were screened for antifungal activity using the poisoned food technique against five filamentous fungi.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that the best yield (8.03%) was obtained with the ethanol extract. The commercial lawsone showed potentially interesting MICs against the strains Fusarium oxysporum (12 µg/mL) and Aspergillus flavus (50 µg/mL). The ethanol extract showed the only interesting MIC (230 µg/mL of crude extract) against the strain F. oxysporum compared with other extracts.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the Algerian L. inermis plant has antifungal activity that can be related to the presence of lawsone in the leaves plant. The results can be exploited largely in research of new antifungal drugs.

Development of copper based drugs, radiopharmaceuticals and medical materials

Copper is one of the most interesting elements for various biomedical applications. Copper compounds show vast array of biological actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, biocidal and other. It also offers a selection of radioisotopes, suitable for nuclear imaging and radiotherapy. Quick progress in nanotechnology opened new possibilities for design of copper based drugs and medical materials. To date, copper has not found many uses in medicine, but number of ongoing research, as well as preclinical and clinical studies, will most likely lead to many novel applications of copper in the near future.

Spectroscopic characterization and biological activity of Zn(II), Cd(II), Sn(II) and Pb(II) complexes with Schiff base derived from pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde and 2-amino phenol

A new Schiff base 2-aminophenol-pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde and its Zn(II), Cd(II), Sn(II) and Pb(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical studies. Spectral studies (IR and (1)H NMR) indicate deprotonation and coordination of phenolic oxygen along with binding of pyrrole nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and anion with metal ions. The presence of lattice water molecule(s) has also been confirmed by TG/DTA studies. Mass spectrum explains the successive degradation of the molecular species in solution and justifies ML complexes. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed from the thermal data using Coats and Redfern method, which confirm first order kinetics. The bio-efficacy of the ligand and their complexes has been examined against the growth of bacteria in vitro to evaluate their antimicrobial potential. Molecular structures of the complexes have been optimized by MM2 calculations and suggest a tetrahedral geometry around metal ions.

Spectroscopic characterization of bioactive carboxyamide with trinuclear lanthanide (III) ions

Complexes of La(III), Sm(III), Eu(III) and Tb(III) with bioactive carboxyamide ligands N',N''-bis(3-caboxy-1-oxophenelenyl)2-amino-N-arylbenzamidine have been synthesized and characterized by various physico-chemical techniques. Mass spectrum explains the successive degradation of the molecular species in solution and justifies ML complexes. Vibrational spectra indicate coordination of Ln(III) with amide and carboxylate oxygen of the ligand along with nitrate ions. The magnetic moment of Sm(III) and Eu(III) complexes showed slightly higher-values which originated due to low J-J separation leading to thermal population of next higher energy J levels and susceptibility due to first order Zeeman effect. The strong luminescence emitting peaks at 587 nm for Eu(III) and 543 nm for Tb(III) can be observed, which could be attributed to the ligand have an enhanced effect to the luminescence intensity of the Eu(III) and Tb(III). The thermal behaviour of complexes shows that water molecules and nitrate ion are removed in first step followed by the removal of two molecules of nitrate ions and then decomposition of the ligand molecule in subsequent step. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed from the thermal data using Coats and Redferm method, which confirm first order kinetics.