ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CU(II) AND BI(III) COMPLEXES BASED ON AMINOPOLYCARBOXYLATE IONS AND 2-FORMYL AND 2-ACETYLPYRIDINE THIO- SEMICARBAZONES

Abstract

The biological properties of thiosemicarbazones are often related to metal coordination, which as result affects lipophilicity that controls the rate of entry into the cell. Metal complexes are generally more active than the free ligand, or the metal complex can be a vehicle for activation of the ligand as the cytotoxic agent. Among biologically ac- tive metal compounds, copper (II) complexes with 2-formyl and 2-acetylpyridine thio- semicarbazones proved to be among the most potent antiviral, antitumor and anti-inflam- matory agents. Bismuth compounds have been widely used in medicine for more than two centuries due to their high effectiveness and low toxicity. In the antimicrobial realm, ap- plications have been widespread, due to bismuth antiseptic, astringent, protective, ant- acid, antisecretory and local gastrointestinal properties.