Activity of (η6-arene)dichloridoruthenium(II) complexes with antifungal imidazolyl-based ligands against Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania major

Abstract

A series of six (η6-arene)Ru(II) complexes with antifungal imidazole drug ligands such as clotrimazole, bifonazole and climbazole was prepared and analyzed. They were tested for their activities against Leishmania major and Toxoplasma gondii parasites, and were compared with the activities of the metal-free azole ligands. Activities superior to those of the azole ligands were observed for the Ru complexes, which indicate the beneficial role of the (η6-arene)ruthenium(II) moiety in terms of antiparasitic properties. The modifications of the arene ligand also played a role in the biological activity. Docking of selected ruthenium complexes into T. gondii kinase CDPK1 and ADME-T calculations revealed promising binding affinities and drug-like properties.