Biological investigation of novel metal complexes of 2-amino-4-substituted phenylthiazole Schiff bases

Abstract

Objective: Invasive microorganisms and free radicals are responsible for the delayed healing of various infections. It is necessary to discovery of novel molecules that are effective against invasive microorganisms and inhibit free radicals. Therefore, a series of metal complexes of 2-amino-4-substituted phenylthiazole Schiff bases were synthesized.

Methods: Structural characterization of the synthesized molecules was performed by elemental analysis, FT/IR, ¹H NMR, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, LC-MS, XRD, and SEM. The antimicrobial activities of all the synthesized molecules were investigated by an agar well diffusion method. An acute oral toxicity study of the synthesized ligands and their metal complexes was conducted according to OECD guidelines. The DPPH assay was used to evaluate the radical-scavenging activities of the compounds.

Results: Results of the oral acute toxicity study revealed that the synthesized analogues are safe up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. The complexes bis[{4-((4-bromo-3-methylphenyl)diazenyl)-2-((4-phenylthiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)phenoxy}]cobalt (6a) and bis[4-{(4-bromo-3-methylphenyl)diazenyl}-2-{(4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl}phenoxy]cobalt (6d) exhibited significant antibacterial activities against drug-resistant bacterial strains as well as potent radical-scavenging properties.

Conclusion: The results justify that the chelation of metals with Schiff base ligands enhances their biological activities against drug-resistant microbial strains.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; Antioxidant; Magnetic susceptibility; Metal complexes; Schiff base.