Synthesis, crystal structure and leishmanicidal activity of new trimethoprim Ru(III), Cu(II) and Pt(II) metal complexes.

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which has very limited treatment options and affects poor and underdeveloped populations. The current treatment is plagued by many complications, such as high toxicity, high cost and resistance to parasites; therefore, novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Herein, the synthesis, characterization and in vitro leishmanicidal potential of new complexes with the general formula [RuCl(TMP)(dppb)] (1), [PtCl(TMP)(PPh)]PF (2) and [Cu(CHCOO)(TMP)]·DMF (3) (dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane, PPH = triphenylphosphine and TMP = trimethoprim) were evaluated.