Biological applications of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes

Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes are of great interest for their unique biological, photophysical, optical, catalytic and electronic properties. This class of complexes demonstrates a number of potential therapeutic applications via interactions with DNA, enzymes and cell membranes, leading to cell death. Metal-based drugs have many common mechanisms of action when acting against cancer and bacterial cells. Even though it was discovered over 50 years ago, the best-known anticancer agent is still cisplatin and the high toxicity and potentially serious complications point to the need for improved drug treatments. Similarly, the first antibiotics introduced in the 1930s against bacterial infection started "the golden age of antibiotics", but the increased number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a global health problem. Recent research has shown that Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes have the potential to be used for the treatment of both cancer and bacterial infections, and in this review the most promising complexes are presented with their anticancer and antimicrobial properties discussed in detail. Crown Copyright (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.