Toxic effect of transition metal complexes on Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens

Abstract

The present article describes the synthesis, structural features and toxicological studies of the complexes of the type [M(L)(dipy-amine)(H₂O)] or [M(L)(bendan)(H₂O)] where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), H₂L = salicylidene-o-aminothiophenol, dipy-amine =di(2-pyridyal)amine, or bendan = bis(benzylidene)1,8-diaminonaphthalene. The complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, electronic spectra, magnetic measurement and thermogravimetric analyses. The nature of the bonding has been discussed on the basis of infrared spectral data. A thermal study of the complexes has been carried out to ascertain their thermal stability. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and electronic spectral data suggest a six-coordinated octahedral structure for these complexes. The complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) are paramagnetic, while Zn(II) and Cd(II) are diamagnetic in nature. The toxic effects of the investigated complexes were tested against three Gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens by the “Disc Diffusion Method”. It is observed that the complexes show higher toxic effects as compared to the ligands, metal salts and control (DMSO), but moderate toxic effects as compared to the standard drug (tetracycline) and the results are discussed.

Keywords:

• Toxic effects
• Schiff bases
• metal complexes
• spectroscopic studies
• tetracycline

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Prof. R. M. Patel, Head, Department of Chemistry and Prof. M. Dutta, Head, Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India for providing the necessary laboratory facilities.