Background: Metal ions play a vital role in the design of more biologically active drugs. Aim: The paper reviewed the antimicrobial, toxicological and DNA cleavage studies of some synthesized metal complexes of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. and Methods: Literature searches were done using scientific databases. Results: Computer search was used to reveal relevant studies. Spectrophotometric and X-ray analyses of the metal complexes have revealed the bi-dentate coordination of fluoroquinolone ligand to the metal through the ring carbonyl and one of the carboxylic oxygen atoms. Most of the metal complexes showed comparable activities and in some cases greater activity against tested organisms. On the toxicological tests carried out, some of the metal complexes had less adverse effect on the body tissues studied compared to the parent drugs. The DNA cleavage studies revealed the possibility of the metal-fluoroquinolone complexes destabilizing linear double stranded DNA. Conclusion: The reviewed metal complexes of fluoroquinolones have the potential of being used as drugs.

Two iron(III) complexes of Ciprofloxacin were synthesized by reaction of the ligand with iron(III) chloride hexahydrate in different solutions. The nature of bonding of the ligands and the structure of the isolated metal complexes were elucidated on the basis of their physical and spectroscopic studies. The infrared spectra suggest that two classes of compounds were obtained: molecular complex in which the ligands were bidentately bonded to the metal through the ring carbonyl oxygen and one of the oxygen of the carboxylate group and the ionic complex consisting of a tetrachlorometalate ion which is electrostatically attached to the ligand. The antibacterial activities of the products against various microorganisms were tested and it was established that their activities were comparable with those of their parent drug. Toxicological studies were carried out in which therapeutic doses of the Ciprofloxacin drug and the metal complexes were administered to albino rats and the results showed that the metal complexes are not toxic.