Metal Complexes with Functionalized Phenolic Derivatives: Novel Antimycobacterial and Anticandidal Agents

Abstract

Redox-active complexes of functionalized phenolic derivatives with Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(II) and Mn(II) ions have been synthesized and the level of their antimycobacterial (against Mycobacterium smegmatis) and antifungal (against Candida spp.) activity as compared to some standard antibiotics (tetracycline, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, nystatin, amphotericin B, terbinafine) have been estimated. The reductive properties of the ligands and their metal complexes were examined by cyclic voltammetry. The biocidal effect of the hit-compounds (MIC = 0.003 ÷ 0.012 µmol ∙ ml – 1 ) comparable to those of standard antibiotics was achieved by structural modification of the organic ligands and metal complexation which purposefully changed the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and redox properties of phenolic derivatives. A broad spectrum of biological and redox activities provides a basis for searching new anti-opportunistic infection agents in the framework of the class of compounds under consideration.