title: Oligonuclear polypyridylruthenium(II) complexes: selectivity between bacteria and eukaryotic cells.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the in vitro activities of a series of di-, tri- and tetra-nuclear ruthenium complexes (Rubbn, Rubbn-tri and Rubbn-tetra) against a range of Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and compare the antimicrobial activities with the corresponding toxicities against eukaryotic cells; and (ii) compare MIC values with achievable in vivo serum concentrations for the least toxic ruthenium complex.
  
  
  
  The in vitro activities were determined by MIC assays and time-kill curve experiments, while the toxicities of the ruthenium complexes were determined using the Alamar blue cytotoxicity assay. A preliminary pharmacokinetic study was undertaken to determine the Rubb12 serum concentration in mice as a function of time after administration.
  
  
  
  Rubb12, Rubb12-tri and Rubb12-tetra are highly active, with MIC values of 1-2 mg/L (0.5-1.5 μM) for a range of Gram-positive strains, but showed variable activities against a panel of Gram-negative bacteria. Time-kill experiments indicated that Rubb12, Rubb12-tri and Rubb12-tetra are bactericidal and kill bacteria within 3-8 h. The di-, tri- and tetra-nuclear complexes were ∼50 times more toxic to Gram-positive bacteria and 25 times more toxic to Gram-negative strains, classified as susceptible, than to liver and kidney cells. Preliminary pharmacokinetic experiments established that serum concentrations higher than MIC values can be obtained for Rubb12 with an administered dose of 32 mg/kg.
  
  
  
  The ruthenium complexes, particularly Rubb12, have potential as new antimicrobial agents. The structure of the dinuclear ruthenium complex can be readily further modified in order to increase the selectivity for bacteria over eukaryotic cells.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gorle
authors.affiliation: School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Primrose
authors.affiliation: School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
authors.forename: Fangfei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Marshall
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feterl
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Kinobe
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia College of Marine & Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heimann
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia College of Science, Technology and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia richard.keene@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: F Richard
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Keene
authors.affiliation: School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
authors.forename: J Grant
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D010078:Oxazines / Q000032:analysis; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry; D014966:Xanthenes / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010078:Oxazines; D014966:Xanthenes; C005843:resazurin; D012428:Ruthenium