Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of Zn coordination compounds with the quinolone gatifloxacin

Abstract

Four novel zinc coordination compounds of gatifloxacin (Hgati), a third-generation quinolone, with a N,N′-donor heterocyclic ligand, such as 2,2′-bipyridylamine, 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2′-bipyridine, were characterized with physicochemical techniques and various spectroscopies. The antimicrobial activity of the compounds against the microorganisms Xanthomonas campestris, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus was similar or better than that of free Hgati. The complexes may bind to calf-thymus DNA via intercalation as concluded via a series of studies employing DNA-viscosity measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy and competition with ethidium bromide. The complexes may bind to albumins in order to get transferred through the bloodstream.