Metalloantibiotics: Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial evaluation of bismuth-fluoroquinolone complexes against Helicobacter pylori

Novel organometallic compounds have been prepared by complexing the fluoroquinolones, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, lomefloxacin, pefloxacin and gatifloxacin, with bismuth. The complexes were characterized by UV, IR, atomic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and mass spectrometry. Their antibacterial potential against Helicobacter pylori and other microorganisms was investigated. These compounds were found to possess strong activity against Helicobacter pylori with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5 mg L^-1. They also exhibited moderate activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. These bismuth-fluoroquinolone complexes have the potential to be developed as drugs against H. pylori related ailments.