Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Metal-Based Schiff Base Complexes of Cephalosporins and Aldehydes for Enhanced Bioavailability and Resistance Modulation

Abstract Background: To boost therapeutic efficiency against bacterial species that repeatedly resist the medical treatment, Schiff basis are the key area of focus for currently available antimicrobial medications that has to be carefully researched. In this study, we have concentrated on a unique and ecologically benign condensation reaction approach that offers both higher biological efficacy and “green synthesis as well”. Methods: Hence, in this study, transition metal (opper (II), manganese (II), iron (II), nickel (II), and zinc (II) complexes of cefixime with well-improved biological activities were synthesized. The products were characterized by employing UV-Visible spectroscopy, elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD. The products were assessed for their in-vitro anti-inflammatory activities utilizing protein denaturation as well as proteinase inhibiting assays. The in-vitro antioxidant activity of the products was determined by utilizing the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in-vitro method. The biological studies were carried out by utilizing in-vitro anti-bacterial investigation with the disc diffusion method. Results: The results attributed the metal complexes to be more efficient against bacterial germs as compared to respective parent medicines and their free ligands as well. In silico studies were also carried out on the basis of hydrogen bond interactions, complex A5, with a binding energy of -8.9 kcal/mol, was found to have the strongest antibacterial activity among complexes A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and ligand AL. Conclusion: These findings are very encouraging and well positioned to open the horizons for further research in this diverse field.