Synthesis of (3-nitro-2-oxo-benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazonato)-zinc(II) complexes: the position of nitro group in phenyl ring alters antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae 1, S. typhimurium 2, MRSA and C. albicans.

The basic purpose of this investigation was to explore the effect on antimicrobial activity of a nitro group at an ortho- versus para-position in the 2-hydroxy-phenyl ring of nitro-salicylaldehyde-N-substituted thiosemicarbazone (X-NO2-stscH2-N1HR, X = 3 or 5; stsc-stands for salicyladehyde thiosemicarbazone) complexes with zinc. Reactions of zinc(ii) acetate with 3-nitro-salicylaldehyde-N-substituted thiosemicarbazones (3-NO2-stscH2-N1HR) and 2,2-bipyridine, or 1,10-phenanthroline as co-ligands, yielded complexes of stoichiometry, [Zn(3-NO2-stsc-N1HR)(N,N-L)] {L, R: bipy, H, 1; Me, 2; Et, 3; Ph, 4; phen, H, 5; Me, 6; Et, 7; Ph, 8}. The thio-ligands coordinate to the metal as dianions (deprotonation of -OH and -N2H moieties) through O, N3 and S donor atoms in distorted trigonal bipyramid geometry (4, 5, 7: τ = 0.718-0.576) or in distorted square pyramid geometry (8: τ = 0.349). ESI-mass spectrometry supported the formation of molecular ion peaks. Complexes displayed fluorescence with λmax = 438-473 nm. It was found that these five-coordinated [Zn(3-NO2-stsc-N1HR)(N,N-L)] complexes showed high antimicrobial activity against methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae 1, Salmonella typhimurium 2 and C. albicans vis-à-vis that of 5-NO2-stscH2-N1HR zinc complexes reported earlier. However, in comparison, the antimicrobial activity of 5-nitro complexes against S. aureus was high relative to 3-nitro complexes in the present case.

Bioprospecting the antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiproliferative activity of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. Bark phytoconstituents along with their biosafety evaluation and detection of antimicrobial components by GC-MS.

BACKGROUND: Plants provide a ray of hope to combat the ever increasing antibiotic resistance and Symplocos racemosa is a valuable medicinal plant. The study focused on highlighting the importance of this plant's phytoconstituents as potential source of novel antimicrobials against planktonic as well as biofilm forming microorganisms, along with their antiproliferative activity. The biosafety of the phytoconstituents was also established, followed by detection of probable antimicrobial components. METHODS: The best organic extractant and major groups of phytoconstituents were tested for their antimicrobial activity against reference microbial strains and drug-resistant clinical isolates. The anti-proliferative potential of the most active group of phytoconstituents was evaluated against cancerous cell lines. The in vitro biosafety of phytoconstituents was evaluated by Ames and MTT assay, while in vivo biosafety of the most active phytoconstituents, i.e., flavonoids was determined by acute oral toxicity. Further, the probable antimicrobial components in the flavonoids were detected by TLC and GC-MS. RESULTS: Ethyl acetate extract was the most effective among various organic extracts, whereas phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, triterpenes and phytosterols were the major groups present, with flavonoids being the most potent antimicrobials. The phytoconstituents displayed a significant antibiofilm potential, as exhibited by inhibition of initial cell attachment, disruption of the pre-formed biofilms and reduced metabolic activity of biofilms. The phytoconstituents were significantly active against the drug-resistant strains of E.coli, MRSA and Salmonella spp. Further, flavonoids showed significant cytotoxic effect against the cancerous cell lines but were non-cytotoxic against Vero (normal) cell line. All the test preparations were biosafe, as depicted by the Ames test and MTT assay. Also, flavonoids did not induce any abnormality in body weight, clinical signs, biochemical parameters and organs' histopathology of the Swiss albino mice during in vivo acute oral toxicity studies. The flavonoids were resolved into 4 bands (S1-S4), where S3 was the most active and its GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of a number of compounds, where Bicyclo [2.2.1]heptan-2-one,1,7,7-trimethyl-, (1S)- was the most abundant. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the phytoconstituents from Symplocos racemosa bark could act as potential source of antimicrobial as well as antiproliferative metabolites.

Scientific validation of the antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of Berberis aristata DC root bark, its phytoconstituents and their biosafety.

Berberis aristata is an important part of traditional healing system from more than 2500 years. The aqueous extract of Berberis aristata root bark displayed broad spectrum activity against 13 test pathogens, ranging from 12 to 25 mm. In classical optimization, 15% concentration prepared at 40 °C for 40 min was optimal and thermostable. Statistical optimization enhanced the activity by 1.13-1.30-folds. Ethyl acetate was the best organic solvent to elute out the potential compound responsible for antimicrobial activity. Diterpenes were the most abundant phytoconstituent (15.3%) and showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity ranging from 16.66 to 42.66 mm. Ethyl acetate extract displayed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.05-1 mg/mL), followed by diterpenes (0.05-5 mg/mL) and flavonoids (0.05-10 mg/mL). The test extracts were microbicidal in nature and showed a prolonged post antibiotic effect ranging from 2 to 8 h. They were found to be biosafe as per Ames and MTT assay. The in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of diterpenes against L20B, RD and Hep 2 cell lines revealed its IC50 ranging from 245 to 473 µg/mL. Acute oral toxicity of diterpenes on Swiss albino mice did not show any changes in behavioral pattern, body weight, biochemical parameters as well as organs' architecture. The study thus indicates B. aristata could be a potential candidate for development of potent drug owing to its antimicrobial potential and biosafe profile.

Silver derivatives of multi-donor heterocyclic thioamides as antimicrobial/anticancer agents: unusual bio-activity against methicillin resistant S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and E. faecalis and human bone cancer MG63 cell line.

The basic aim of this study pertains to the synthesis of silver nitrate complexes and the study of their antimicrobial and anticancer bio-activity. A series of new silver(i) derivatives of N-substituted-imidazolidine-2-thiones (L-NR, R = Et, Pr n , Bu n , Ph), purine-6-thione (purSH2), 2-thiouracil (tucH2), pyrimidine-2-thione (pymSH) and pyridine-2-thione (pySH) of composition [Ag(S-L-NR)(PPh3)2(ONO2)] {R = Et (1), Pr n (2), Bu n (3), Ph (4)}, [Ag2(N,S-purSH2)2(µ-dppm)2](NO3)2·2H2O (5) (dppm = Ph2P-CH2-PPh2), [Ag(L)(PPh3)2](NO3) {L = N,S-purSH2 (6); S-tucH2 (7)}, [Ag(N,S-pymS)(PPh3)2](CH3OH) (8), and [Ag(N,S-pyS)(PPh3)2] (9) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. These new and some previously reported complexes {[Ag2(L-NH)4(PPh3)2](NO3)2 (10), [Ag(L-NMe)2(PPh3)](NO3) (11), and [Ag(S-bzimSH)2(PPh3)2](OAc) (12), L-NH = 1,3-imidazolidine-2-thione; L-NMe = 1-methyl-3-imidazolidine-2-thione and bzimSH2 = benzimidazoline-2-thione)} have shown moderate to high anti-microbial activity against Gram positive bacteria, namely methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 740), and Gram negative bacteria, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis (MTCC 435), Enterococcus faecalis (MTCC 439), Shigella flexneri (MTCC 1457) and a yeast Candida albicans (MTCC 22). These complexes have also been found to be bio-safe as studied using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. The anti-tumor study of silver complexes against human osteosarcoma cell line (MG63) has shown IC50 values in the range of 6-33 µM.

Preliminary investigation of the effect of doping of copper oxide in CaO-SiO2-P2O5-MgO bioactive composition for bone repair applications.

A diopside based bioactive system with a nominal composition of xCuO-(45.55-x)CaO-29.44 SiO2-10.28P2O5-14.73 MgO (x=0,1,3 and 5mol%) has been prepared by sol gel technique in the laboratory. X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra-Red and Raman Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy along with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis and pH studies have been undertaken on the prepared samples before and after dipping the samples in simulated body fluid. It has been observed that hydroxyapatite layer starts to form with in 24h during immersion in simulated body fluid. Degradation studies have also been employed to check the degradation behavior in Tris-HCl. Dynamic light scattering studies show that particles are mostly agglomerated and have an average size of 356nm. Zeta potential studies have been undertaken to check the surface charge and it has been estimated that samples carry negative charge when dipped in simulated body fluid. Negative surface charge may contribute to attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts. Samples have also shown the antimicrobial properties against the Vibro cholerae and Escherichia coli pathogens. To check the non-toxic nature of the samples, cell cytotoxic and cell culture studies have been undertaken using the MG-63 cell lines. Samples have shown good response with good percentage viability of the cells in the culture media and hence, provides friendly environment to the growth of cells. The particle size, bioactivity, negative values of zeta potential, antimicrobial properties and good cell viability indicate the potential of the synthesized compositions as possible candidates for bone repair applications.

Synthesis, structures, and ESI-mass studies of silver(I) derivatives of imidazolidine-2-thiones: Antimicrobial potential and biosafety evaluation.

The basic objective of this investigation is to explore potential metallo-organic antimicrobial agents based on silver-heterocyclic-2-thiones. In this respect, a series of silver(I) halide complexes with imidazolidine-2-thiones (L-NR, R=H, Me, Et, Prn, Bun, Ph), namely, mononuclear [AgX(L-NR)(PPh3)2] (X, R: Cl, Bu, 1; Br, Ph, 7); [AgX(L-NR)3] (Br, Bu, 5; Br, Prn, 8) and halogen bridged dinuclear [Ag2(µ-X)2(L-NR)2(PPh3)2] (Cl, Bun, 2; Cl, Ph, 3; Cl, Prn, 4; Br, Ph, 6) have been synthesized and characterized using modern techniques. The thio-ligands are terminally S-bonded in all the complexes. The in vitro antimicrobial potential and biosafety evaluation of the above complexes as well as that of previously reported analogous silver complexes has been studied against Gram positive bacteria, namely, Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 740) and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Gram negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 109), Salmonella typhimurium (MTCC 98) and a yeast Candida albicans (MTCC 227). Most of the complexes tested have shown significant antimicrobial activity with low values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Significantly, the activity against MRSA is an important outcome of this investigation. Among complexes tested for their cytotoxicity using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay, some complexes showed low cellular toxicity with high percent cell viability. A dinuclear complex [Ag2(µ-Cl)2(L-NPh)2(PPh3)2] 3 with 93.3% cell viability emerges the most important candidate for further investigations.

Correction: Variable coordination and C-S bond cleavage activity of N-substituted imidazolidine-2-thiones towards copper: synthesis, spectroscopy, structures, ESI-mass and antimicrobial studies.

Correction for 'Variable coordination and C-S bond cleavage activity of N-substituted imidazolidine-2-thiones towards copper: synthesis, spectroscopy, structures, ESI-mass and antimicrobial studies' by Jaspreet K. Aulakh, et al., Dalton Trans., 2017, 46, 1324-1339.

In vitro antimicrobial potential of extracts and phytoconstituents from Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. leaves and their biosafety evaluation.

The in vitro antimicrobial screening of Gymnema sylvestre leaves against 13 test pathogens established its broad spectrum activity with average inhibition zone ranging from 14 to 23 mm. The antimicrobial activity of the classically- optimized aqueous extract was enhanced up to 1.45 folds, when subjected to statistical optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and was thermostable. Ethyl acetate was found to be the best organic extractant with Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 (31.5 mm) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (25.5 mm) being the most sensitive among Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, respectively. Among the major group of phytoconstituents detected, tannins were the most abundant followed by flavonoids and phytosterols, while triterpenes were absent. Flavonoids and cardiac glycosides exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial potential, with inhibition zone ranging from 13 to 35 mm, where Candida albicans was the most sensitive organism. Ethyl acetate extract showed better potency with lowest Minimum inhibitory concentration (0.1-1 mg ml-1) than the aqueous extract (1-3 mg ml-1) and all partially purified phytoconstituents (0.1-10 mg ml-1). The ethyl acetate extract and flavonoids were highly potent, as they exhibited a total activity potency ranging from 41.4 to 1045 ml g-1. Time kill studies revealed their microbicidal action, where ethyl acetate extract had a kill time from 0 to 12 h. However, among phytoconstituents, flavonoids were the most effective (0-8 h). The MIC and time kill study was also compared to that of standard antibiotics. These findings indicate that Gymnema sylvestre can be a potential source for development of leading metabolites against pathogens of clinical importance like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus etc. They were neither mutagenic nor cytotoxic, as revealed by Ames and MTT assay.

Variable coordination and C-S bond cleavage activity of N-substituted imidazolidine-2-thiones towards copper: synthesis, spectroscopy, structures, ESI-mass and antimicrobial studies.

An equimolar reaction of copper(i) iodide with N-ethyl-imidazolidine-2-thione (l-Et) in acetonitrile formed black prismatic crystals over a period of three weeks. The X-ray structure determination of black crystals revealed that the thio-ligand l-Et has transformed into a new thio-ligand, 1-ethyl-3-(1-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)imidazolidine-2-thione (l-NEt), through C-S rupture/C-N bond formation which was coordinated in the unusual 2D polymer, {(CuII(κ2-N,S-l-NEt)2)·(CuI4)·(CuI2)}n1. An ESR spectrum supported the presence of divalent CuII in the polymer. In contrast, reaction of copper(i) iodide with N-phenyl-imidazolidine-2-thione (l-Ph) in 1 : 1 molar ratio yielded a polymer, [-Cu(µ-I)2Cu(µ-S-l-Ph)2Cu-]n2, with alternate Cu2I2 and Cu2S2 cores. Further, a series of reactions of copper(i) halides with N-substituted imidazolidine-2-thiones, namely, l-R in 1 : 2 metal to ligand molar ratio (M : L) in acetonitrile have yielded different type of complexes: trigonal planar {CuX(κ1-S-l-R)2, R, X : Et, I, 4; Me, I, 5; Bun, I,6; Me, Br,7; Bun, Br, 8; Me, Cl, 9; Prn, Cl, 10; Ph, Cl, 11}, dinuclear [Cu2Br2(µ-S-l-Ph)2(κ1-S-l-Ph)2] 12, tetranuclear, [Cu4I2(µ-I)2(µ-S-l-Ph)4(κ1-S-l-Ph)2] 3 and hexanuclear [Cu6Cl6(µ-S-l-Bun)6] 13. All these complexes have been characterized using analytical data, IR and proton NMR spectroscopy, ESI-mass studies and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The antimicrobial activity of these complexes has been investigated against Gram positive bacteria, namely, Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC740), methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Gram negative bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC109), Salmonella typhimurium (MTCC741) and Candida albicans (MTCC227)- a yeast. It is significant to add that among various complexes tested for cytotoxicity toward living cells, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 complexes were toxic, while complex 12 was non-toxic.