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.

The present study aimed at synthesizing copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of mixed ascorbic acid and nicotinamide and physiochemically characterize by solubility test, melting point, conductivity test, infrared, electronic and proton nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The result of the physiochemical studies indicated 1:1 stoichiometry and were supported by the spectroscopic data. The antimicrobial activities of the mixed complexes were carried out against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Penicillum, spp Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The result of the infrared data showed that ascorbic acid coordinates through the oxygen of the carbonyl group and that of enolic C-2 hydroxyl group, while nicotinamide coordinates through the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring. The result of the antimicrobial studies showed that the mixed complexes have higher inhibitory activity than the original ligands against the tested bacteria and fungi species.