Recent Advances in Metal Complexes for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem with more than 1 million deaths due to AMR infection in 2019 alone. New and innovative therapeutics are required to overcome this challenge. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a rapidly growing area of research poised to provide much needed help in the fight against AMR. aPDT works by administering a photosensitizer (PS) that is activated only when irradiated with light, allowing high spatiotemporal control and selectivity. The PS typically generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage a variety of key biological targets, potentially circumventing existing resistance mechanisms. Metal complexes are well known to display excellent optoelectronic properties, and recent focus has begun to shift towards their application in tackling microbial infections. Herein, we review the last five years of progress in the emerging field of small‐molecule metal complex PSs for aPDT.

Glycerol group substituted bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindoline (BPI) complexes: synthesis, characterization and investigation of their biological properties

“…Although there are many studies on photodynamic therapy with metal complexes in the literature, there are limited studies on PDAT. 49,50 Finally, BPI derivates can be used as photosensitizer agents for PDAT in drug industry. We hope that this work will lead to our future work on how to tune the properties of these compounds for PDAT by metal and substituent selection in novel N , N , N pincer-type compounds.…”

“…Due to its inherent resistance to antimicrobial substances, microbial biofilm poses a significant clinical concern and has been strongly linked to infections in catheterized patients. 50 Few substances have been identified that can inhibit biofilm formation, so it is clear that new strategies are needed to overcome microbial resistance. 1b , 2b , 3b , and 4b compounds were investigated to evaluate the biofilm inhibition abilities against well-known biofilm-forming bacteria, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa .…”

Polypyridyl-based Co(iii) complexes of vitamin B6 Schiff base for photoactivated antibacterial therapy

“…3–5 Unfortunately, while antibiotics gained popularity as a rapid and simple treatment for infectious illness, the overuse and abuse of these drugs have resulted in the development of significant antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 6,7 More than one million deaths worldwide in 2019 were attributed to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 8 O'Neill et al reported that without any intervention, about 10 million people per annum will die from antimicrobial-inducing drug-resistance infections by 2050.…”

“…9 Henceforth, the development of novel antibacterial agents with new antibacterial mechanisms has become essential to overcome AMR. 6,10,11 Recently, antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), a non-invasive therapy, has offered significant promises to overcome the AMR problem. 6,10,11 This therapy is also reported to reduce bleeding and inflammation.…”

“…6,10,11 Recently, antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), a non-invasive therapy, has offered significant promises to overcome the AMR problem. 6,10,11 This therapy is also reported to reduce bleeding and inflammation. 12 It is highly selective towards target pathogenic bacteria without affecting healthy tissues.…”