Gold-Derived Molecules as New Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the three most important health problems by the World Health Organization. The emergence and spread of an increasing number of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms make this a worldwide problem. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are estimated to be the cause of 33,000 deaths in Europe and 700,000 worldwide each year. It is estimated that in 2050 bacterial infections will cause 10 million deaths across the globe. This problem is concomitant with a decrease in the investment and, therefore, the discovery and marketing of new antibiotics. Recently, there have been tremendous efforts to find new effective antimicrobial agents. Gold complexes, with their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and unique modes of action, are particularly relevant among several families of derivatives that have been investigated. This mini review revises the role of gold-derived molecules as antibacterial agents.

A stable Fe/Co bimetallic modified biochar for ofloxacin removal from water: adsorption behavior and mechanisms

“…2 The UK Antibiotic Crisis Survey analysis stated that approximately 700, thousand people worldwide died each year from drug-resistant bacterial infections and this number was expected to reach 10 million by 2050. 3…”

“…2 The UK Antibiotic Crisis Survey analysis stated that approximately 700, thousand people worldwide died each year from drug-resistant bacterial infections and this number was expected to reach 10 million by 2050. 3 Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, one of the most commonly used antibacterial drugs in the world, as the third largest sales of antibiotics, its global sales in 2009 reached 7.1 billion US dollars. 4 Ooxacin (OFX) was one of the most heavily used uoroquinolone antibiotics because it had a broad spectrum and high efficiency in treating infectious diseases in urinary and respiratory systems.…”

Broad Spectrum Functional Activity of Structurally Related Monoanionic Au(III) Bis(Dithiolene) Complexes

“…The antimicrobial activity of gold(I/III) complexes has not been investigated as extensively as their anticancer activity. Only recently, due to the threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, the application of these compounds as antimicrobials has gained more attention [35]. Nevertheless, a considerable number of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes, mostly complexes with a + 1 oxidation state, have been tested against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi and parasites.…”

Biological Activity of NHC-Gold-Alkynyl Complexes Derived from 3-Hydroxyflavones

“…The interest in gold derivatives as antimicrobial agents dates back to the end of 19th century, when Koch demonstrated the activity of K[Au(CN) 2 ] against Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Since then, the research in antibacterial gold derivatives has increased and centred mainly on gold(I) phosphine derivatives and gold(I) N -heterocyclic carbenes [ 23 , 33 ]. Among all of them, auranofin (2,3,4,6-tetraacetyl-1-thio-β-D-glucopyranosato-S-triethylphosphane gold(I), Figure 1 ) stands out.…”

“…Among all of them, auranofin (2,3,4,6-tetraacetyl-1-thio-β-D-glucopyranosato-S-triethylphosphane gold(I), Figure 1 ) stands out. Auranofin, a drug approved in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has shown a potential for new applications in some cancers, parasitic and bacterial infections, HIV and neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Antibacterial properties of auranofin have been widely studied, displaying high efficacy mainly against Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug resistant strains [ 24 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”