In vivo inhibition of E. coli growth by a Ru(II)/Pt(II) supramolecule [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)PtCl2](PF6)

Supramolecular complexes consisting of ruthenium chromophores and a cisplatin unit represent an emerging class of bioactive molecules of interest as anti-cancer agents. Although the ability of Ru(II)/Pt(II) heteronuclear complexes to bind to DNA has been demonstrated, the in vivo activity of these complexes has not yet been reported. In the present work, we report the anti-bacterial activity of the complex [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)PtCl2](PF6) (where dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine). The impact on bacterial cell growth of exposure to different concentrations of [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)PtCl2](PF6) and cisplatin was studied. The bioactivity of this complex was found to be due to the presence of the cis-PtCl2 moiety, as the monometallic synthon [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF6) did not inhibit bacterial cell growth.