Background

Metal ion exhibits antibacterial activity against most of the bacteria. Currently, complexes of antibiotics with metal ions focus the attention for new drugs as well as those endeavoring to increase the activity of antibiotics in use. Therefore, the role of antibiotic-metal complexes (AMC) in the field of pharmaceutical research has been constantly expanding. Moreover, it is necessary for the present situation to search for new, more effective and more broadly acting drugs due to an alarming increase in the growing number of drug-resistant bacteria [1]. This growing interest and research activities in the search for new combinations of metal ions with various classes of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals are currently observed. For overcoming the effects of resistant microorganisms such complexes have been intensively studied in recent years [2,3,4,5]. As reported in the literature, the use of metalloantibiotics, nanoparticles with metal ions, green nanoparticles and similar type of novel formulations allows for reduction of dose introduced into the body, enhancement of bioavailability and benefiting from the pharmaceutical effects of both ligand antibiotics and metal ions [6].

The interaction of metal ions with drugs and proteins, green-synthesized nanoparticles and metal ions has been recognized internationally as an important area for research. Metals existing in the nature due to their variable oxidation states, number and types of coordinated ligands and coordinative geometry after complexation can provide variety of properties, whereas the ligands can not only control the reactivity of the metal, but also play critical roles in determining the nature of interactions involved in the recognition of biological target sites, such as DNA, enzymes and protein receptors. These variables provide enormous potential diversity for the design of metallodrugs. Synthesized metal complexes might prove to have altered therapeutic activity or may have toxic effects [7].

The appearance of resistant bacteria was found to reduce the efficiency of antimicrobial therapies with the current antibiotics, thereby increasing the need for more efficient drugs for the treatment of infections. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in antimicrobial activity following the interaction of several compounds with metal ions. The interaction of metal ions with organic ligands shows better antimicrobial activity compared to free ligands (not coordinated), and as such, it justifies the investigation of new drugs with unknown mechanism of action against pathogenic bacteria. The use of these new compounds is likely to have great potential against pathogenic bacteria; nonetheless, the need for new methodologies of evaluation of antimicrobial activity cannot be relegated to the background [8].

The potential for further development of metal-based drugs and treatments as antimicrobial agents is enormous and has great importance with the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria. Numerous clinical trials for the usage of metals in therapeutics have been carried out worldwide for assessing metal-based drug’s efficacy in a wide diversity of human problems proving it to be an antibiotic alternative at a convenient dosage [9]. Therefore, the present study was carried out on synthesis and evaluation of meropenem and cefixime metal ion complexes for antibacterial activity.

Resistance mechanisms are the result of altered physiological proteins and targets on the cell surface. The major mechanisms responsible for multidrug resistance (MDR) include the alteration of targets, generation of inactivated enzymes or passivated enzymes, use of active efflux pump systems, presentation of obstacles to antibiotic permeation, formation of biofilms, emergence and elimination of a specific protein, induction of an antagonist through metabolic pathways and increased production of a competitive inhibitor counteracting the antibiotic. Concurrent with the increased incidence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, researchers are directed toward alternative therapies, including traditional plant-based medicines, bacteriophage therapies, metal ion drug complexes and combinational therapies [10].

Meropenem is (4R,5S,6S)-3-[(3S,5S)-5-(dimethyl-carbamoyl) pyrrolidin-3-yl]sulfanyl-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-methyl-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid a parenteral carbapenem with wide spectrum antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms [11]. Cefixime is 7-2(2-(amino-4-thiazolyl)-2(carboxymethoxyimino) acetamido) -3-vinyl-cephem4-carboxylic acid a third-generation semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotics broad spectrum more active against gram-negative strains and less active against gram-positive strains, whereas the prolonged use of these broad-spectrum antibiotics is particularly worrying as it promotes the spread of multidrug-resistant, difficult-to-treat pathogens [12, 13].

The present research work has been carried out with the objective to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antibacterial effect of meropenem and cefixime metal ion complexes as these are repetitively prescribed drug in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Methods

Meropenem trihydrate was gifted by Aurobindo Pharma Limited, and cefixime trihydrate was gifted by Zim Laboratories. Metal salts such as cadmium chloride [CdCl2(II)], silver chloride [AgCl2(II)], palladium chloride [PdCl2(II)], zinc chloride [ZnCl2(II)], nickel chloride [NiCl2(II)], cobalt chloride [CoCl2(II)] and copper chloride [CuCl2(II)], other solvents and reagent of analytical grade were purchased from Lobachemie and Merck PVT LTD. FTIR spectra recorded on Prestige-21 FTIR instrument were FTIR 8004s. 1H-NMR instruments were Bruker AMX 400 MHz. Chemical shifts were reported in ppm using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard. UV–visible spectra were recorded on Jasco UV spectrophotometer.

Synthesis of antibacterial drug and cadmium metal complexes

Meropenem-cadmium (Mero-Cd) complex was prepared by dissolving 1 mmol (0.1833 g) CdCl2 in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). To this solution, 2 mmol (0.7669 g) of meropenem solution in ethanol was added [13]. For cefixime-cadmium (Cef-Cd) complex, 1 mmol (0.1833 g) CdCl2 was dissolved in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). Further, 2 mmol (0.9069 g) of cefixime solution in ethanol was added. Both the mixtures were stirred magnetically and separately at room temperature for a week. The precipitated complex was separated, washed with ethanol and dried [14].

Synthesis of antibacterial drug and silver metal complexes

Meropenem-silver (Mero-Ag) complex was prepared using 1 mmol (0.1433 g) AgCl2 which was dissolved in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml); to this solution, 2 mmol (0.7669 g) of meropenem solution in ethanol was added. Separately, cefixime-silver (Cef-Ag) complex, 1 mmol (0.1433 g) AgCl2 was dissolved in 10 ml of absolute hot ethanol and 2 mmol (0.9069 g) of cefixime solution in ethanol was added. The mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature for a week. The precipitated complex was filtered, washed with ethanol and dried [15].

Synthesis of antibacterial drug and palladium metal complexes

Meropenem-palladium (Mero-Pd) complex was prepared by dissolving 1 mmol (0.1773 g) PdCl2 in 10 ml of absolute hot ethanol, and 2 mmol (0.7669 g) of meropenem solution in ethanol was added. For cefixime-palladium (Cef-Pd) complex, 1 mmol (0.1773 g) PdCl2 was dissolved in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). To this solution 2 mmol (0.9069 g) of cefixime solution in ethanol was added. The mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature for a week. The precipitated complex was filtered, washed with ethanol and dried [16].

Synthesis of antibacterial drug and zinc metal complexes

For meropenem-zinc (Mero-Zn) complex, 1 mmol (0.1362 g) ZnCl2 was dissolved in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). To this solution 2 mmol (0.7669 g) of meropenem solution in ethanol was added. Similarly, cefixime-zinc (Cef-Zn) complex was prepared by solubilizing 1 mmol (0.1362 g) ZnCl2 in 10 ml of absolute hot ethanol, and to this solution, 2 mmol (0.9069 g) of cefixime solution in ethanol was added. The mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature for a week. The precipitated complex was filtered, washed with ethanol and dried [17].

Synthesis of antibacterial drug and nickel metal complexes

Meropenem-nickel (Mero-Ni) complex prepared using 1 mmol (0.1295 g) NiCl2 was dissolved in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). To this solution 2 mmol (0.7669 g) of meropenem solution in ethanol was added. Likewise, cefixime-nickel (Cef-Ni) complex, 1 mmol (0.1295 g) NiCl2 was dissolved in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). To this solution 2 mmol (0.9069 g) of cefixime solution in ethanol was added. The mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature for a week. The precipitated complex was filtered, washed with ethanol and dried [16].

Synthesis of meropenem and cobalt metal complexes

Meropenem-cobalt (Mero-Co) complex was prepared by dissolving 1 mmol (0.1298 g) CoCl2 in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). To this solution 2 mmol (0.9069 g) of meropenem solution in ethanol was added. The mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature for a week. The precipitated complex was filtered, washed with ethanol and dried [13, 18].

Synthesis of cefixime and copper metal ion complexes

For cefixime-copper  (Cef-Cu) complex, 1 mmol (0.1344 g) CuCl2 was dissolved in absolute hot ethanol (10 ml). To this solution 2 mmol (0.9069 g) of cefixime solution in ethanol was added. The mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature for a week. The precipitated complex was filtered, washed with ethanol and dried.

Characterization of synthesized complexes

Organoleptic properties

The synthesized complexes of meropenem and cefixime with Cd, Ag, Pd, Zn, Ni, Co and Cu were observed for their color (appearance) and percent yield.

Solubility study

The solubility of synthesized complexes were  determined in different solvents such as water, 5% sodium hydroxide, 5% hydrochloric acid, conc. sulfuric acid, methanol, diethyl ether.

UV spectrophotometric analysis

The solution of the meropenem, cefixime and its synthesized complexes with metal ions were  prepared in methanol (10 µg/ml) and was scanned in the region of 200–600 nm using 630 Jasco  UV spectrophotometer.

FTIR analysis

The IR spectra of the meropenem, cefixime and its synthesized complexes with metal ions were taken using KBr disks. All the compounds were scanned in the region of 4000–600 cm−1.

NMR spectral analysis

The 1H-NMR spectra of some selected synthesized complexes with meropenem and cefixime were recorded on BrukerAvance300 using tetra methylsilane (TMS) as internal standard, and DMSO was used as solvent. The NMR spectroscopy was done by STIC Kochi University, Kochi, Kerala. The chemical shifts are expressed in δ (ppm).

Antibacterial activity

The meropenem, cefixime and its synthesized complexes with metal ions were tested against bacterial strains; gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa [26, 27]. Broth culture (0.75 ml) of individual strain was added in nutrient agar medium at 45 °C, mixed well and then poured into a sterile Petri plate. The media were allowed to solidify, and 6 mm wells were drug with a sterile metallic borer. Then a DMSO solution of test sample (100 µl) at 1 mg/ml was added to the respective wells. DMSO served as negative control, and the standard antibacterial drug (100 μg/ml) was used as positive control. Duplicate plates of each bacterial strain were prepared which was incubated aerobically at 37 °C for 24 h. The activity was determined by measuring the diameter of zone showing complete inhibition (mm). The growth inhibition was calculated with reference to the positive control [19, 20].

Minimum inhibitory concentration determination

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)s of selected compounds, which showed significant activity against selected bacterial strains, were determined using the broth dilution method by preparing tube containing different concentration and according to standard protocol. MIC was the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial compound at which the inhibition of growth occurred [20, 21].

Results

Physiochemical characterization of synthesized complexes

The initial nature of meropenem and cefixime was white and amorphous in nature, whereas the synthesized complexes Mero-Cd, Mero-Ag, Mero-Pd, Mero-Zn, Mero-Ni and Mero-Co were changing its appearance to yellowish orange, gray powder, gray powder, brown powder, greenish yellow powder and gray powder, and the percent yield was found to be 44.52, 81.51, 32.24, 32.12, 49.30 and 21.95%, respectively. Similarly, the Cef-Cd, Cef-Ag, Cef-Pd, Cef-Zn, Cef-Ni and Cef-Cu were pale orange powder, gray color powder, dark brown powder, orange crystalline solid and yellowish-brown crystals nature with percent yield 26.98, 79.46, 83.08, 45.36, 39.69 and 75.72%, respectively.

The solubility of synthesized complexes were determined in different solvents such as water, 5% sodium hydroxide, 5% hydrochloric acid, conc. sulfuric acid, methanol, diethyl ether. The solubility of complexes was found to be more in 5% sodium hydroxide and conc. sulfuric acid. Whereas the solubility in water, 5% hydrochloric acid and ether was observed partial or insoluble indicating binding of metal ion with drug may decreases solubility in water.

UV spectrophotometric analysis

The UV spectrum of meropenem in methanol has shown highest absorbance at 301.2 nm which resembles to the λmax of meropenem in the range of 300–310 nm as mentioned in the  literature [22]. The UV absorption spectra of meropenem metal ion complexes showed characteristic peaks from 250 to 295 nm, indicating that there were the presence of n–π* transition and π–π* transitions in the compounds due to carbonyl group [22, 23].

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, meropenem metal ion complexes exhibited changes in UV spectrum such as decrease in absorbance at λmax of meropenem or shifting to highest absorbance which might be associated with formation of complex with metal ion. The UV spectrum of cefixime in methanol found to be 289.4 nm which resembles to λmax of cefixime compared with reference spectrum in the literature. The UV spectral data of the entire synthesized complexes showed the decrease in absorbance at λmax of cefixime which might be due to binding of metal ion system.

Fig. 1
figure 1

UV spectrum in methanol a Meropenem, b Mero-Cd, c Mero-Ag, d Mero-Pd, e Mero-Zn, f Mero-Ni and g Mero-Co

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Fig. 2
figure 2

UV spectrum in methanol a Cefixime, b Cef-Cd, c Cef-Ag, d Cef-Pd, e Cef-Zn, f Cef-Ni and g Cef-Cu

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FTIR spectrophotometric analysis

The structures of synthesized complexes were established by their IR spectra. Cyclic metal ion complexes with meropenem showed the IR absorptions given in Table 1. The FTIR spectra of all the compounds of cefixime were scanned in the region of 4000–400 cm−1. Metal ion complex with cefixime showed the IR absorptions characteristics of carbonyl C=O (1700 cm−1), aliphatic C–N (1340 cm−1), N–O (1540 cm−1), C=C (1670–1440 cm−1), C–S (690–685 cm−1). The FTIR spectra of all the compounds of meropenem were scanned in the region of 4000–700 cm−1. As shown in Fig. 3, the spectrum shows changes in wave number as compared to the standard drug which might be due to formation of metal ion complex [24]. As shown in Fig. 4, cyclic metal ion complex with cefixime showed the IR absorptions characteristics of carbonyl C=O (1700 cm−1), aliphatic C–N (1340 cm−1), N–O (1540 cm−1), C=C (1670–1440 cm−1), C–S (690–685 cm−1). From the above observations it was clear that the structure of cyclic drug metal complexes was confirmed [25].

Table 1 FTIR peaks of meropenem, cefixime and its synthesized complexes
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Fig. 3
figure 3

FTIR spectrum of a Mero-Cd, b Mero-Ag, c Mero-Pd, d Mero-Zn and e Mero-Co

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Fig. 4
figure 4

FTIR spectrum of a Cef, b Cef-Cd, c Cef-Ag, d Cef-Pd, e Cef-Zn, f Cef-Ni and g Cef-Cu

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NMR analysis

The 1H-NMR of cyclic aliphatic compounds (cefixime) showed multiple at singlet due to 5.110 (1H,S, –COOH), 9.373 (1H, S,C3HSN), 5.375 (1H,S, –NH2), doublet due to C4H2SN, 6.987, 4.461, 5.418, 4.603, 5.207, 4.574, 5.187, and also, the doublet on 5.418, 6.882, 5.78. The change in the singlet appearing near 11 to 12 was missing in the cefixime complexes with palladium, silver and zinc which might be associated with confirmation of cefixime metal ion complexes. In case of meropenem, as shown in Fig. 5, the 1H-NMR of cyclic compounds showed multiple and singlet δ values are observed shifted as compared to standard meropenem drug. Some δ values are near to the standard drug values. The shifting of δ value is due to metal ion complex with standard drug. The 1H-NMR is reported in Table 2. All the synthesized compounds gave satisfactory data correlation with the assigned structure.

Fig. 5
figure 5

NMR spectrum of a Mero-Pd, b Mero-Ag, c Mero-Ni and a Cef-Pd, b Cef-Ag, c Cef-Zn

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Table 2 1H-NMR peaks of meropenem and cefixime metal ion complexes
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Antibacterial activity

The antimicrobial activity was performed for all the synthesized meropenem and cefixime metal ion complexes using cup plate method as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The results showed that all the synthesized meropenem metal ion complexes possess moderate to good antibacterial activity, where in K. Pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa standard meropenem was not shown any activity, while meropenem-Cd and meropenem-Ni complexes showed good activity. All the meropenem metal ion complexes were found to be more active on the gram-negative bacteria than gram-positive bacteria out of which meropenem-Cd was more active against E. coli. It was also found that all the meropenem metal ion complexes possess more antibacterial activity as compared to meropenem. However, Mero-Cd, Mero-Ag and Mero-Pd were also found to be active against gram-positive B. subtilis. The synthesized cefixime-metal ion complexes possess moderate to good antibacterial activity as compared to standard cefixime. The complexes were found to be more active on the gram-negative bacteria as compared to gram-positive bacteria. The inhibitory effect of the prepared complexes was significantly higher than their original ligand when they had been tested on the five types of bacteria [26,27,28,29,30].

Fig. 6
figure 6

Antibacterial activity by meropenem and its synthesized complexes against a P. aeruginosa, b K. pneumonia, c E. coli, d B. subtilis and e S. aureus

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Fig. 7
figure 7

Antibacterial activity by cefixime and its synthesized complexes a P. aeruginosa, b K. pneumonia, c E. coli, d B. subtilis and e S. aureus

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Minimum inhibitory concentration determination

MIC appropriately calculated by broth dilution method is given in Table 3. The MIC for E. coli of Mero-Cd complex was found to be 250 μg/ml. Similarly, MIC for B. subtilis of Mero-Cd and Mero-Ag was found to be 200 and 300 μg/ml, respectively. MIC for K. pneumoniae of Mero-Cd and Mero-Ni was 100 and 250 μg/ml. Also the MIC for P. aeruginosa of Mero-Cd, Mero-Pd, Mero-Ag and Mero-Ni was 150, 150, 250 and 250 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC values of some complexes were found to be less than the meropenem, indicating that complexes have better antibacterial activity than plain drug.

Table 3 MIC of meropenem and cefixime and its synthesized metal complexes
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The MIC for E. coli of Cef-Ag and Cef-Zn complexes was found to be 50 μg/ml. MIC of S. aureus against Cef-Ag, Cef-Pd and Cef-Zn was observed 100, 50 and 50 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the MIC for B. subtilis against Cef-Ag, Cef-Pd, Cef-Zn and Cef-Cd was found to be 150 and 50 μg/ml, respectively. Similarly, the MIC for K. pneumonia of Cef with Pd, Ag, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cd and MIC for P. aeruginosa of complexes of Cef with Pd, Ag, Zn, Cu and Cd was found to be less than cefixime, indicating better antibacterial activity than plain cefixime.

Discussion

The present paper emphasizes on synthesis and evaluation of meropenem and cefixime metal ions complexes for their antibacterial activity against normal and resistant strains. As per literature review, the proficient use of meropenem and cefixime as a higher antibacterial drug by practitioners and reported antibacterial activities of the metal ions motivated to synthesize drug metal ion complexes and its antibacterial activities. Silver, palladium, zinc, cadmium, nickel and copper metal ions were selected as no previous paper was available for these metal ions with meropenem and cefixime. The synthesis process was performed for meropenem and cefixime with all the metal ions as per the reference [13,14,15,16,17,18]. Synthesized complexes were confirmed by evaluating the organoleptic parameters such as the initial nature of meropenem and cefixime was white and amorphous in nature, whereas the synthesized complexes of meropenem and cefixime with metal ions change in appearance which might be associated with formation of complex with the metal ion. The prepared complexes have been shown different colors than the initial giving primary indication of formation of complex. Furthermore, the solubility of complexes was found to be more in 5% sodium hydroxide and conc. sulfuric acid, whereas the solubility in water, 5% hydrochloric acid and ether was observed partial or insoluble, indicating binding of metal ion with drug may decrease solubility in water.

Moreover, the UV spectral data of the entire synthesized metal ion complexes have shown decrease in absorbance at λmax of meropenem and cefixime which might be due to binding of metal ion with the respective drug, whereas in some complexes a slight shift in λmax was observed. As per literature review, any change in the absorbance at λmax of drug indicates the binding of some group or metal ion. Further for structural confirmation FTIR studies were carried out which indicated that the functional groups of meropenem and cefixime were retained in the synthesized metal ion complexes and shown peaks associated with metal ions confirm the structure of synthesized complexes [22,23,24,25].

1H-NMR analysis confirms the binding of metal ions on meropenem and cefixime. The change in the singlet appearing near 11 to 12 was missing in the cefixime complexes with palladium, silver and zinc which might be associated with confirmation of cefixime metal ion complexes. In case of meropenem, the 1H-NMR of cyclic compounds showed multiple and singlet δ values are observed shifted as compared to standard meropenem drug. Some δ values are near to the standard drug values. All the synthesized compounds gave satisfactory data correlation with the assigned structure.

The results of antibacterial activity showed that all the synthesized complexes possess moderate to good antibacterial activity than a standard drug. The complexes were found to be more active on the gram-negative bacteria as compared to gram-positive bacteria. The inhibitory effect of the prepared complexes was significantly higher than their original ligand when they had been tested on the five types of bacteria, whereas in K. Pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa standard meropenem was not shown any activity, while meropenem-Cd and meropenem-Ni complexes showed good activity. All the meropenem metal ion complexes were found to be more active on the gram-negative bacteria than gram-positive bacteria out of which meropenem-Cd was more active against E. coli. It was also found that all the meropenem metal ion complexes possess more antibacterial activity as compared to meropenem. However, Mero-Cd, Mero-Ag and Mero-Pd were also found to be active against gram-positive B. subtilis [26, 27]. MIC for meropenem and cefixime metal ion complexes was appropriately calculated by broth dilution method. The MIC values of some complexes specifically Mero-Cd, Mero-Pd, Cef-Ag, Cef-Cd and Cef-Zn against gram-negative bacteria were found to be less than the meropenem and cefixime, indicating that the complexes have better antibacterial activity than plain drug [28,29,30].

Conclusions

Metal ion complexes for meropenem and cefixime were confirmed by UV, FTIR and NMR analysis. All the synthesized metal ion complexes exhibited good antimicrobial activity, whereas Mero-Cd, Mero-Ag, Mero-Pd, Mero-Ni, Cef-Pd, Cef-Zn and Cef-Cd complexes have reflected notable antibacterial activity. Furthermore, they also have strong antibacterial action against K. Pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa in comparison with standard drugs. These complexes can be thus implied for further development of antibacterial molecules for resistant species.