What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to explore new noble metal complexes as potential antimicrobial and antitumor agents.

April 19, 2026ACS Omega0 citationsOpen Access

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Noble Metal Complexes with 2-(1-Benzyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine Ligand: An Interesting Class of Metallo-antimicrobial and -antitumor Agents

DGDaniela Giunta MSMaurizio Solinas BCBruna Canu

Key Points

The research aims to explore new noble metal complexes as potential antimicrobial and antitumor agents.
Synthesis of palladium(II), platinum(II), and gold(III) complexes with 2-(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine ligand.
Characterization of complexes through NMR spectroscopy.
Testing of antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities on various cell types.
Cationic gold complex 5 showed the best antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity with the lowest MIC and MBC values.
Electrochemical studies revealed redox behavior in complex 5, suggesting a potential oxidative stress mechanism.
Complex 5 and platinum complex 3 exhibited high cytotoxicity against human tumor cells, while complex 2 showed a favorable selectivity profile against normal cells.

Abstract

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and Multidrug Resistance (MDR) has compelled the scientific community to search for new families of antimicrobial agents. Coordination compounds of noble metals have been shown to be good candidates, not only as novel antimicrobials but also as antitumor drugs. Herein we report the synthesis of a series of palladium(II), platinum(II) and gold(III) chelated complexes with a triazole-pyridine ligand, 2-(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine, 5-TzPy. The complexes were isolated and characterized in solution by means of NMR spectroscopy, and their antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities were tested. Among them, cationic gold compound 5, Au(5-TzPy)Cl2BF4, exhibited the best overall antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. It proved to be the most potent compound, showing the lowest MIC and MBC values, and the greatest efficacy against biofilm formation. These findings suggest that its ionic charge and chemical configuration enhance molecular diffusion and interaction with microbial cells. In addition, electrochemical data show a redox behavior for complex 5 which may be associated with an oxidative stress mechanism of action. Additionally, the study was extended to include preliminary assessments of antitumor activity. Cytotoxicity tests on human tumor (HT29) cells showed that complexes 3, Pt(5-TzPy)Me2, and 5, Au(5-TzPy)Cl2BF4, exhibited the highest tumor cell toxicity. However, cytotoxicity studies on normal endothelial (EA.hy926) displayed a more favorable selectivity profile for complex 2, Pt(5-TzPy)Cl2. Its moderate toxicity toward tumor cells and minimal effects on normal cells highlight the potential of 2 as a selective and safer antitumor agent.

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