A novel zinc complex with antibacterial and antioxidant activity.

BACKGROUND: In order to enhance the antibacterial activity and reduce the toxicity of Zn(2+), novel complexes of Zn(II) were synthesized. RESULTS: A water-soluble zinc-glucose-citrate complex (ZnGC) with antibacterial activity was synthesized at pH 6.5. The structure, morphology, characterization, acute toxicity, antibacterial and antioxidant activities, and in situ intestinal absorption were investigated. The results showed that zinc ion was linked with citrate by coordinate bond while the glucose was linked with it through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The higher the molecular weight of sugar is, the more favorable it is to inhibit the formation of zinc citrate precipitation. Compared with ZnCl(2), ZnGC complex presented better antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (E. coli, Gram-negative). CONCLUSIONS: The results of acute toxicity showed no obvious toxicity in this test and in situ intestinal absorption study, suggesting that ZnGC complex could be used as a potential zinc supplement for zinc deficiency.