Nanoscale ruthenium(iii) complexes with bioactive ligands: structural, colloidal, and dual antimicrobial-cytotoxic investigations

Impert O, Czerniecka N, Balińska N, Kubiak B, Kozakiewicz-Piekarz A, Pryshchepa O, Pomastowski P, Ehlert M, Witwicki M, Pateda YR, Rakovský E, Katafias A, van Eldik R (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Dalton Transactions Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 54

Pages Range: 14304-14321

Journal Issue: 38

DOI: 10.1039/d5dt01857a

Abstract

This study comprehensively analyses two new ruthenium(iii) complexes, [Ru^IIICl4(Nic)2]⁻[(CH3)2NH2]⁺DMF, 1, and [Ru^IIICl2(3-HPA)2]⁻[3-HH2PA]⁺(EtOH)2, 2, (where Nic = nicotinic acid (vitamin B3), 3-HPA = anion of a 3-hydroxypicolinic acid), as potential antimicrobial agents, highlighting their physicochemical properties, nanoparticle formation, and cytotoxic activity. The complexes were fully characterised by a single crystal X-ray diffraction technique, Fourier-transform infrared, energy-dispersive X-ray, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. The synthesis of micro- and nanoparticles (NPs) of these complexes was performed using the liquid anti-solvent crystallisation method. The formation of NPs was confirmed, and their sizes were determined using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques. The Debye-Scherrer technique, based on powder diffraction X-ray data, indicated the high crystallinity of the nanomaterials. Toxicity and morphological effects on L929 fibroblasts, hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) and human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell lines of the complexes were assessed using the MTT assay and an inverted phase-contrast microscope, respectively. Complex 1 is a promising anti-cancer drug candidate targeting intestinal cancers, showing cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cancer cells and no cytotoxicity against L929 fibroblast cells, while complex 2 is markedly cytotoxic. The antibacterial activity of the complexes was assessed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Complex 2 demonstrates superior bactericidal properties, achieving MIC values as low as 125 μg ml⁻¹ for S. aureus, while complex 1 exhibits lower antimicrobial efficacy. The role of ligand composition in modulating bioactivity was examined.

Involved external institutions

Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) / Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu (UMK)

Poland (PL) University of Wroclaw / Uniwersytet Wrocławski

Poland (PL) Comenius University Bratislava

Slovakia (SK)

How to cite

APA:

Impert, O., Czerniecka, N., Balińska, N., Kubiak, B., Kozakiewicz-Piekarz, A., Pryshchepa, O.,... van Eldik, R. (2025). Nanoscale ruthenium(iii) complexes with bioactive ligands: structural, colloidal, and dual antimicrobial-cytotoxic investigations. Dalton Transactions, 54(38), 14304-14321. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5dt01857a

MLA:

Impert, Olga, et al. "Nanoscale ruthenium(iii) complexes with bioactive ligands: structural, colloidal, and dual antimicrobial-cytotoxic investigations." Dalton Transactions 54.38 (2025): 14304-14321.

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