Investigation of major amino acid residues of anti-norfloxacin monoclonal antibodies responsible for binding with fluoroquinolones.

It is important to understand the amino acid residues that govern the properties of the binding between antibodies and ligands. We studied the binding of two anti-norfloxacins, anti-nor 132 and anti-nor 155, and the fluoroquinolones norfloxacin, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin. Binding cross-reactivities tested by an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that anti-nor 132 (22-100%) had a broader range of cross-reactivity than anti-nor 155 (62-100%). These cross-reactivities correlated with variations in the numbers of interacting amino acid residues and their positions. Molecular docking was employed to investigate the molecular interactions between the fluoroquinolones and the monoclonal antibodies. Homology models of the heavy chain and light chain variable regions of each mAb 3D structure were docked with the fluoroquinolones targeting the crucial part of the complementarity-determining regions. The fluoroquinolone binding site of anti-nor 155 was a region of the HCDR3 and LCDR3 loops in which hydrogen bonds were formed with TYR (H:35), ASN (H:101), LYS (H:106), ASN (L:92), and ASN (L:93). These regions were further away in anti-nor 132 and could not contact the fluoroquinolones. Another binding region consisting of HIS (L:38) and ASP (H:100) was found for norfloxacin, enrofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, whereas only ASP (H:100) was found for ofloxacin.

Effects of norfloxacin nicotinate on the early life stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio): Developmental toxicity, oxidative stress and immunotoxicity.

Norfloxacin nicotinate (NOR-N), an adduct of norfloxacin (NOR) and nicotinic acid, has been widely used for replacing NOR in animal husbandry and fishery industry. Nowadays, increasing evidences showed that NOR could pose toxic effects on fish and other aquatic organisms, but as its adduct, whether NOR-N could cause adverse effects on aquatic organisms is still unclear. To evaluate the toxic effects of NOR-N on the early life stage of zebrafish, we determined the changes in embryonic development (hatching rate, body length, malformation rate and mortality), antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and gene expression levels related to antioxidant enzymes (Cu/Zn-sod, Mn-sod, CAT and Gpx) and innate immune system (tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interferon (IFN), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-8, CXCL-clc, CC-chemokine, lysozyme (Lzy) and complement factors (C3)) after embryonic exposure to NOR-N till 96 hpf. The results showed that NOR-N exposure could decreased the hatching rate and body length, and increased abnormality and mortality as concentration-dependent during embryonic development process. NOR-N induced oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae through increasing the contents of MDA and the activities of SOD, CAT and Gpx, as well as the mRNA levels of genes related to these antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the expression of TNFα, IFN, IL-1ß, IL-8, CXCL-clc, CC-chemokine, Lzy and C3 genes were significantly up-regulated after exposure to high concentration (5 and/or 25 mg/L) of NOR-N till 96 hpf, indicating that the innate immune system in zebrafish larvae was disturbed by NOR-N. Overall, our results suggested that NOR-N caused development toxicity, oxidative stress and immunotoxicity on the early life stage of zebrafish. Thus, widespread application of NOR-N might pose potential ecotoxicological risk on aquatic ecosystems.

Using hapten cross-reactivity to screen heterologous competitive antigens for improving the sensitivity of ELISA.

In this study, heterologous competitive antigens (HCAs) suitable for improving the sensitivity of ELISA were successfully screened based on their cross-reactivities (CRs) with 19 quinolone analogues; each containing the norfloxacin amino derivative (NOR0) coupled with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a coating antigen. HCAs prepared with hapten analogues (CRs of 0.77%-49.92%) remarkably enhanced the sensitivity of the subsequent ELISA. ELISA sensitivity for NOR detection improved 26-fold when moxifloxacin-BSA was used as a heterologous coating antigen relative to when NOR0-BSA was used as a homologous coating antigen. This work, therefore, represents a detailed screening method to select suitable heterologous competitive antigens that improve ELISA sensitivity. Secondly, we present new theoretical tools to estimate hapten structures for use in the method, which may also be applied to improve the sensitivity of other immunoassays.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Piperazin-4-yl-(acetyl-thiazolidine-2,4-dione) Norfloxacin Analogues as Antimicrobial Agents.

 In an effort to improve the antimicrobial activity of norfloxacin, a series of hybrid norfloxacin-thiazolidinedione molecules were synthesized and screened for their direct antimicrobial activity and their anti-biofilm properties. The new hybrids were intended to have a new binding mode to DNA gyrase, that will allow for a more potent antibacterial effect, and for activity against current quinolone-resistant bacterial strains. Moreover, the thiazolidinedione moiety aimed to include additional anti-pathogenicity by preventing biofilm formation. The resulting compounds showed promising direct activity against Gram-negative strains, and anti-biofilm activity against Gram-positive strains. Docking studies and ADMET were also used in order to explain the biological properties and revealed some potential advantages over the parent molecule norfloxacin.

Design and synthesis of aminothiazolyl norfloxacin analogues as potential antimicrobial agents and their biological evaluation.

A series of aminothiazolyl norfloxacin analogues as a new type of potential antimicrobial agents were synthesized and screened for their antimicrobial activities. Most of the prepared compounds exhibited excellent inhibitory efficiencies. Especially, norfloxacin analogue II-c displayed superior antimicrobial activities against K. pneumoniae and C. albicans with MIC values of 0.005 and 0.010 mM to reference drugs, respectively. This compound not only showed broad antimicrobial spectrum, rapid bactericidal efficacy and strong enzymes inhibitory potency including DNA gyrase and chitin synthase (CHS), low toxicity against mammalian cells and no obvious propensity to trigger the development of bacterial resistance, but also exerted efficient membrane permeability, and could effectively intercalate into K. pneumoniae DNA to form a steady supramolecular complex, which might block DNA replication to exhibit their powerful antimicrobial activity. Quantum chemical studies were also performed to explain the high antimicrobial activities. Molecular docking showed that compound II-c could bind with gyrase-DNA and topoisomerase IV-DNA through hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking.

Peroxydisulfate/oxygen system-based electrochemiluminescent immunosensing of Hg2+ using Pt/Pd nanodendrites-thiosemicarbazide/norfloxacin as a signal enhancer.

Herein, we describe a competitive-type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) strategy for Hg2+ determination based on the peroxydisulfate/oxygen (S2O82-/O2) system that uses Pt/Pd nanodendrites (Pt/Pd NDs)-thiosemicarbazide/norfloxacin (TN)-covered gold nanoparticles (Pt/Pd-TNG50) as a signal enhancer. The Pt/Pd NDs, a dense array of Pt branches on a Pd core, possessed excellent catalytic properties to enhance ECL intensity by accelerating electron transfer. In addition, the binary intramolecular synergy of TN, which had cooperative interactions of powerful π-π stacking with a larger conjugated surface, could extremely enhance the ECL signal of the S2O82-/O2 system. Furthermore, we designed a competitive immunoassay method using a structured sensor where a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against Hg2+ exhibited high specificity and recognition of Hg2+, which greatly improved the specificity and sensitivity of the immunosensor. As a result, the proposed immunosensor gave Hg2+ detection with a low detection limit (16 pg mL-1) and displayed high sensitivity and stability. Importantly, this work not only, for the first time to our knowledge, utilized Pt/Pd NDs as promising ECL emitters for bioprobe construction but also opened an efficient way for the detection of Hg2+ in environmental monitoring.

CuI and CuII complexes with phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolone antibiotics - A comparative study on the cytotoxic mode of action.

In this paper, we present a comparative study on the cytotoxic mode of action of copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin HCp and norfloxacin HNr). The in vitro cytotoxic activity of four new compounds was tested against two selected cancer cell lines. All complexes exhibited much better cytotoxicity against both cell lines than unmodified fluoroquinolone antibiotics, their phosphines (PCp, PNr), chalcogenide derivatives (oxides: OPCp, OPNr; sulfides: SPCp, SPNr and selenides: SePCp, SePNr) and previously described by us complexes with phosphines derived from different fluoroquinolones: lomefloxacin (HLm) and sparfloxacin (HSf) as well as cisplatin. Apoptosis, observed at a great predominance, was induced by all studied complexes. Importantly, it was concluded that coordination compounds with Cu(I) ion ([CuI-PNr] and [CuI-PCp]) were much more active than those with Cu(II) ion ([OPNr-CuII], [OPCp-CuII]), even though the highest efficacy to produce reactive oxygen species, participating in overall cytotoxicity, was proved for copper(II) complexes among all studied compounds. Herein, we discuss not only results obtained for copper(I)/(II) complexes with phosphines derived from HNr and HCp but we also compare them to previously described data for complexes with HLm and HSf derivatives. This is the first insight into a structure-activity relationship of copper complexes with phosphine derivatives of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Novel Glycoconjugate of 8-Fluoro Norfloxacin Derivatives as Gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Inhibitors: Synthesis and Molecular Modelling Studies.

Antibiotic resistance has been the subject of interest in clinical practice due to high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic organisms. In view of the prevalence of lesser resistance in antibiotics belonging to aminoglycoside class of compounds viz. Food and Drug Administration-approved gentamicin for the treatment of Staphylococcus infections, which also has instances of resistance in the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, a series of novel glycoconjugates of 8-fluoro norfloxacin analogues with high regio-selectivity by employing copper (I)-catalyzed 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition of 1-O-propargyl monosaccharides has been synthesized and evaluated for the antibacterial activity against gentamicin resistance Staphylococcus aureus. Among these compounds, the compound 10g showed better antibacterial activity (MIC = 3.12 µg/ml) than gentamicin (Escherichia coli (12.5 µg/ml), Staphylococcus aureus (6.25 µg/ml) and Klebsiella pneumonia (6.25 µg/ml), including gentamicin resistant (>50 µg/ml) strain in vitro). The docking studies suggest DNA gyrase of Staphylococcus aureus as a probable target for the antibacterial action of compound 10g.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin nicotinate in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and crucian carp (Carassius auratus) after oral administration.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin nicotinate (NFXNT) was investigated in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and crucian carp (Carassius auratus) after a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Analyses of plasma samples were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with fluorescence detection. After oral dose, plasma concentration-time curves of common carp and crucian carp were best described by a two-compartment open model with first-order absorption. The pharmacokinetic parameters of common carp were similar to those of crucian carp. The distribution half-life (t1/2α ), elimination half-life (t1/2ß ), peak concentration (Cmax ), time-to-peak concentration (Tmax ), and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of common carp were 1.58 h, 26.33 h, 6069.79 µg/L, 1.08 h, and 103072.36 h·µg/L, respectively, and those corresponding to crucian carp were 1.36 h, 26.55 h, 9586.06 µg/L, 0.84 h, and 126604.4 h·µg/L, respectively. These studies demonstrated that 10 mg NFXNT/kg body weight in common carp and crucian carp following oral dose presented good pharmacokinetic characteristics.

Supramolecular structures and physicochemical properties of norfloxacin salts.

Seven new molecular salts of norfloxacin (1-ethyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-7-piperazin-1-yl-1H-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid; abbreviated as NF) with various organic acids (adipic acid, mucic acid, o-OH-benzoic acid, m-OH-benzoic acid, p-OH-benzoic acid, naphthalene-1, 5-disulfonic acid and naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid) were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Supramolecular structures and reccurring packing patterns are discussed to understand the influence of non-covalent interactions in determination of the crystal packing and hydrate inclusion. The formation of hydrates was commonly observed among various NF salts, except for the adipate salt which exists as an anhydrous form. The physicochemical properties of salts were fully characterized with a variety of analytical techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform IR (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot-stage microscopy (HSM) and dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) etc. The synthesized norfloxacin salts were found to have different physicochemical properties, superior solubility and hygroscopicity. Particularly, NF adipate was found to be a desirable candidate for further development.

Novel organic salts based on fluoroquinolone drugs: synthesis, bioavailability and toxicological profiles.

In order to overcome the problems associated with low water solubility, and consequently low bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), novel organic salts containing fluoroquinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin) were prepared, using an optimized synthetic procedure based on direct protonation, with different biocompatible counter ions such as mesylate, gluconate and glycolate. All the prepared organic salts were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis. Solubility studies in water and simulated biological fluids at 25°C and 37°C were also performed. Additionally, octanol-water and phospholipid-water partition coefficients were measured at 25°C. The cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory efficacy using an human cell model of intestinal epithelia (Caco-2 cells) were also evaluated and compared to those of the parent APIs. The adequate selection of the biocompatible anions allows the tuning of important physical, thermal and toxicological properties.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of conjugates between norfloxacin and analogues of the siderophore vanchrobactin.

From synthetic functionalized analogues of vanchrobactin, a siderophore produced by the fish pathogenic bacteria Vibrio anguillarum serotype O2, several vanchrobactin analogues-norfloxacin conjugates were obtained and their antimicrobial activities against the wild-type and mutant strains of Vibrio anguillarum serotype O2 have been determined.

Different types of copper complexes with the quinolone antimicrobial drugs ofloxacin and norfloxacin: structure, DNA- and albumin-binding.

Three novel copper(II) complexes with the second-generation quinolone antibacterial agents norfloxacin (nfH) and ofloxacin (ofloH) have been synthesized resulting in the complexes [Cu(nfH)(phen)Cl]Cl·5H(2)O (1·5H(2)O), [Cu(nfH)(2)]Cl(2)·6H(2)O (2·6H(2)O) and [Cu(II)(ofloH)(2)][(Cu(I)Cl(2))(2)] (3), respectively. The crystal structures of the complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography revealing that the quinolones act as bidentate ligands coordinated to Cu(II) atom through the pyridone oxygen and a carboxylato oxygen. UV study of the interaction of the quinolones and the complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) has shown that they can bind to CT DNA with [Cu(II)(ofloxacin)(2)][(Cu(I)Cl(2))(2)] exhibiting the highest binding constant to CT DNA. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes in the presence of CT DNA solution have shown that the interaction of the complexes with CT DNA is mainly through electrostatic binding. DNA solution viscosity measurements have shown that the interaction of the compounds with CT DNA by classical intercalation may be ruled out. Competitive studies with ethidium bromide (EB) indicate that the complexes can partially displace the DNA-bound EB suggesting low to moderate competition with EB. Norfloxacin, ofloxacin and their copper complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human or bovine serum albumin protein having relatively high binding constant values.

Synthesis and biodistribution of a novel (99m)TcN complex of norfloxacin dithiocarbamate as a potential agent for bacterial infection imaging.

Achieving a (99m)Tc-labeled fluoroquinolone derivative as a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) tracer is considered to be of great interest. The norfloxacin dithiocarbamate (NFXDTC) was synthesized and radiolabeled with a [(99m)TcN]²(+) intermediate to form the (99m)TcN-NFXDTC complex in high yield. The radiochemical purity of (99m)TcN-NFXDTC was over 90%, as measured by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), without any notable decomposition at room temperature over a period of 6 h. The partition coefficient and electrophoresis results indicated that (99m)TcN-NFXDTC was lipophilic and neutral. The bacterial binding assay studies showed tht (99m)TcN-NFXDTC had a good binding affinity. Biodistribution results in bacterial infected mice showed that (99m)TcN-NFXDTC had a higher uptake at the sites of infection and better abscess/blood and abscess/muscle ratios than those of (99m)Tc-ciprofloxacin and (99m)TcN-CPFXDTC (CPFXDTC = ciprofloxacin dithiocarbamate). The biodistribution results of (99m)TcN-NFXDTC in bacterially infected mice and in mice with turpentine-induced abscesses indicated that (99m)TcN-NFXDTC was suited to be a bacteria-specific infection imaging agent. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image studies showed there was a visible accumulation in infection sites, suggesting that it would be a promising candidate for bacterial infection imaging.

Solubility behavior and biopharmaceutical classification of novel high-solubility ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin pharmaceutical derivatives.

The hydrochlorides of the 1:3 aluminum:norfloxacin and aluminum:ciprofloxacin complexes were characterized according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) premises in comparison with their parent compounds. The pH-solubility profiles of the complexes were experimentally determined at 25 and 37 degrees C in the range of pH 1-8 and compared to that of uncomplexed norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Both complexes are clearly more soluble than the antibiotics themselves, even at the lowest solubility pHs. The increase in solubility was ascribed to the species controlling solubility, which were analyzed in the solid phases at equilibrium at selected pHs. Additionally, permeability was set as low, based on data reported in the scientific literature regarding oral bioavailability, intestinal and cell cultures permeabilities and also considering the influence of stoichiometric amounts of aluminum. The complexes fulfill the BCS criterion to be classified as class 3 compounds (high solubility/low permeability). Instead, the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) currently used in solid dosage forms, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, proved to be BCS class 4 (low solubility/low permeability). The solubility improvement turns the complexes as potential biowaiver candidates from the scientific point of view and may be a good way for developing more dose-efficient formulations. An immediate release tablet showing very rapid dissolution was obtained. Its dissolution profile was compared to that of the commercial ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets allowing to dissolution of the complete dose at a critical pH such as 6.8.

Synthesis and in-vitro antibacterial activity of some novel N-nicotinoyl-1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-7-piperazin-1-yl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylates.

A series of N-nicotinoyl-1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-7-piperazin-1-yl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylates has been synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. Norfloxacin was reacted with thionyl chloride, to yield norfloxacin acid chloride which was used immediately in next step by reacting with respective alcohols to furnish the corresponding esters i.e. 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-7-piperazin-1-yl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylates (III). Nicotinoyl chloride (IV) was prepared by adopting reported procedures and was reacted appropriately with previously synthesized esters (III) to yield the title compounds (V). The structures of synthesized compounds were established on the basis of analytical and spectral studies. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against four different strains of bacteria. Compounds exhibited moderate to significant minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.19 to 0.37 against E. coli, 0.17 to 0.37 against S. dysentry. The MIC values against Gram positive bacteria were slightly more that Gram negative ones and ranged from 1.9 to 3.5 against S. aureus and 2.0 to 3.1 against B. subtilis.

Novel copper(II) complex of N-propyl-norfloxacin and 1,10-phenanthroline with enhanced antileukemic and DNA nuclease activities.

We have synthesized and characterized a novel copper(II) complex of the fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug N-propyl-norfloxacin (Hpr-norf) in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and studied its biological properties as antitumor antibiotic and antimicrobial agent. Human acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60, MTT assay, and Trypan blue assay were used to test the antileukemic, the cell viability, and the structural integrity of the cell membrane and cell proliferation properties of (chloro)(Phen)( N-propyl-norfloxacinato)copper(II) (complex 1), respectively. We found that the proliferation rate and viability of HL-60 cells decreased after treatment with complex 1, leading to cell death through apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. The antimicrobial activity of complex 1 has been tested, revealing an increased potency in comparison to the free Hpr-norf. Complex 1 proved to be capable of acting as an independent nuclease by inducing nicking of supercoiled pUC19 plasmid. Our results suggest that 1 may provide a valuable tool in cancer chemotherapy.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin-glycine acetate after intravenous and oral administration in pigs.

The pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of norfloxacin-glycine acetate (NFLXGA) was investigated in pigs after a single intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) administration at a dosage of 7.2 mg/kg body weight. After both i.v. and p.o. administration, plasma drug concentrations were best fitted to an open two-compartment model with a rapid distribution phase. After i.v. administration of NFLXGA, the distribution (t(1/2alpha)) and elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) were 0.36 +/- 0.07 h and 7.42 +/- 3.55 h, respectively. The volume of distribution of NFLXGA at steady state (Vd(ss)) was 4.66 +/- 1.39 l/kg. After p.o. administration of NFLXGA, the maximal absorption concentration (C(max)) was 0.43 +/- 0.06 microg/ ml at 1.36 +/- 0.39 h (T(max)). The mean absorption (t(1/2ka)) and elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)) of NFLXGA were 0.78 +/- 0.27 h and 7.13 +/- 1.41 h, respectively. The mean systemic bioavailability (F) after p.o. administration was 31.10 +/- 15.16%. We suggest that the optimal dosage calculated from the pharmacokinetic parameters is 5.01 mg/kg per day i.v. or 16.12 mg/kg per day p.o.

Synthesis, structure, and nuclease properties of several binary and ternary complexes of copper(II) with norfloxacin and 1,10 phenantroline.

Three new binary Cu(II) complexes of norfloxacin have been synthesized and characterized. We also report the synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystallographic structures of a new binary compound, [Cu(HNor)(2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O (2) and two new ternary complexes norfloxacin-copper(II)-phen, [Cu(Nor)(phen)(H(2)O)](NO(3)).3H(2)O (4), and [Cu(HNor)(phen)(NO(3))](NO(3)).3H(2)O (5). The structure of 2 consists of two crystallographically independent cationic monomeric units of [Cu(HNor)(2)](2+), chloride anions, and uncoordinated water molecules. The Cu(II) ion is placed at a center of symmetry and is coordinated to two norfloxacin ligands which are related through the inversion center. The structures of 4 and 5 consist of cationic units ([Cu(Nor)(phen)(H(2)O)](+) for 4 and [Cu(HNor)(phen)(NO(3))](+) for 5), nitrate counteranions, and lattice water molecules that provide crystalline stability through a network of hydrogen-bond interactions. The complexes exhibit a five coordinated motif in a square pyramidal environment around the metal center. The ability of compounds 4 and 5 to cleave DNA has also been studied. Mechanistic studies with different inhibiting reagents reveal that hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, and superoxide radicals are all involved in the DNA scission process mediated by these compounds.

Structure and biological properties of the copper(II) complex with the quinolone antibacterial drug N-propyl-norfloxacin and 2,2'-bipyridine.

The neutral mononuclear copper complex with the quinolone antibacterial drug N-propyl-protected norfloxacin, Hpr-norfloxacin, in the presence of the nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand 2,2'-bipyridine has been prepared and characterized. The crystal structure of (chloro)(2,2'-bipyridine)(pr-norfloxacinato)copper(II), 1, has been determined and refined with X-ray crystallography. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (=EPR) spectroscopy at liquid helium temperatures from powdered samples indicates the presence of dimeric units in consistency with the crystal structure. In aqueous solutions of 1 the EPR behavior indicates mixture of dimeric and monomeric species. The antimicrobial activity of the complex has been tested on three different microorganisms and the best inhibition (MIC=0.25mugmL(-1)) has been exhibited against Escherichia coli. The study of the interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA has been performed with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has shown that complex 1 is bound to calf-thymus DNA by the intercalative mode. Potential anticancer cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of complex 1 on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cell lines have been investigated. Complex 1 shows an increased antiproliferative and necrotic effect on both HL-60 and K562 human leukemia cells in comparison to the free pr-norfloxacin.