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Cellular membrane-targeting ruthenium complexes as efficient photosensitizers for broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.

Yi WangYa-Tao HuHai-Lin ZhangYu-Yu ChenHong-Dong ShiJin-Gang LiuQian-Ling Zhang
Published in: Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003) (2023)
A ruthenium complex [Ru(phen) 2 (phen-5-amine)-C14] (Ru-C14) with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity was designed and synthesized; positively charged Ru-C14 could target bacteria via electrostatic interactions and showed high binding effectiveness to cell membranes. In addition, Ru-C14 could act as a photosensitizer. Under 465 nm light irradiation, Ru-C14 could generate 1 O 2 , thus disrupting the bacterial intracellular redox balance and leading to bacterial death. Ru-C14 also exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration values of 6.25 μM against Escherichia coli and 3.125 μM against Staphylococcus aureus ; these values are lower than those of streptomycin and methicillin. This work combined the merits of cell membrane targeting and photodynamic therapy for antibacterial activity. The findings might open up a new avenue for effective anti-infection treatment and other medical applications.
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