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Ru(II)-based antimicrobials: looking beyond organic drugs
A I Ramos1, T M Braga, S S Braga
1Department of Chemistry and CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
|February 24, 2012
Summary
Ruthenium complexes show promising bactericidal, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties, offering potential alternatives to current drugs. This review categorizes these complexes, highlighting their diverse applications in antimicrobial research.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Ruthenium complexes are increasingly investigated for their antimicrobial potential.
- Existing antimicrobial drugs face challenges like resistance and side effects.
- A comprehensive review of ruthenium-based antimicrobials is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the bactericidal, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties of inorganic and organometallic ruthenium complexes.
- To compare the efficacy of ruthenium complexes with existing commercial antimicrobial drugs.
- To categorize ruthenium complexes based on ligand type, geometry, and chemical nature.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of research from the past two decades.
- Inclusion of original research findings on antimicrobial ruthenium complexes.
- Classification of complexes into five distinct groups based on structural and chemical characteristics.
Main Results:
- Ruthenium complexes with Schiff bases are the most studied antimicrobial agents.
- Complexes with planar ligands are designed for DNA intercalation.
- Functionalized complexes, including those with PTA ligands for solubility and drug-mimicking structures, show notable activity.
- Recent advances include supramolecular ruthenium antimicrobials like polymers and cyclodextrin adducts.
Conclusions:
- Ruthenium complexes represent a versatile platform for developing novel antimicrobial agents.
- The diverse structural motifs allow for tailored properties, including enhanced efficacy and solubility.
- Further research into supramolecular ruthenium systems could lead to next-generation antimicrobials.
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