First- and second-generation quinolone antibacterial drugs interacting with zinc(II): structure and biological perspectives.

Interaction of equimolar quantities of ZnCl2 with the quinolone antibacterial drugs flumequine (Hflmq), oxolinic acid (Hoxo) or enrofloxacin (Herx) and the N,N'-donor heterocyclic ligands 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) results in the formation of 1:1 drug to metal complexes with the general formula [Zn(quinolone)(N,N'-donor)Cl], while excess of the quinolone leads to 1:2 metal to drug [Zn(quinolone)2(N,N'-donor)] complexes. In all complexes, the deprotonated bidentate quinolonato ligands are coordinated to zinc ion through the pyridone oxygen and a carboxylato oxygen. The crystal structures of [Zn(oxo)(phen)Cl], [Zn(flmq)(phen)Cl] and [Zn(flmq)2(phen)] have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human or bovine serum albumin protein showing relatively high binding constant values. Interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus (CT) DNA, studied by UV spectroscopy, has shown that they bind to CT DNA, while [Zn(flmq)(phen)Cl] and [Zn(flmq)2(phen)] complexes exhibit the highest binding constants to CT DNA. Competitive study with ethidium bromide (EB) has shown that all complexes can displace the DNA-bound EB indicating that they bind to DNA in strong competition with EB. Intercalative binding mode is proposed for the interaction of the complexes with CT DNA and has also been verified by DNA solution viscosity measurements. DNA electrophoretic mobility experiments suggest that all complexes bind to linearized pDNA and supercoiled pDNA by intercalative manner resulting in catenanes formation as well as in double-stranded cleavage reflecting (or ending) in the formation of linear DNA. The complexes exhibit significant antimicrobial activity tested on five different microorganisms.