The antibacterial and antifungal activity of Schiff bases derived from triazole Schiff bases, as well as their V(Ⅳ) metal complexes, has been investigated. The findings demonstrated that these substances had significant antibacterial effects at high concentrations on
Escherichia coli,
Shigella flexenari,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Salmonella typhi,
Staphylococcus aureus, and
Bacillus subtilis. These compounds also have antifungal activity on
Trichophyton longifucus,
Candida albicans,
Aspergillus flavus,
Microscopum canis,
Fusarium solani, and
Candida glaberata. In addition, metal complexes exhibit higher bioactivity than single Schiff base compounds [
17]. Binary tetradentate Schiff bases with Mo(Ⅵ) complexes have also been reported to inhibit some pathogenic bacteria and fungi [
18].
Staphylococcus aureus and
Bacillus subtilis, two Gram-positive bacteria, were significantly inhibited by a novel series of Cu(Ⅱ) complexes of pyrazolone-based Schiff base ligands. Gram-negative bacteria such as
E. coli and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa also showed significant antibacterial activity [
19]. Another study found that the bacterial strains
Staphylococcus aureus,
Bacillus cereus,
E. coli, and
Klebsiella pneumoniae were inhibited by Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) complexes of NNO donor tridentate Schiff base 4-bromo-2-((methylamino)propyl)imino)methyl)phenol [
20]. A series of Zn(Ⅱ) Schiff base azide complexes displayed potential resistance to
Staphylococcus aureus in antibacterial assays [
21]. The effect of the metal ions on normal cellular processes may be responsible for the antibacterial activity of metal chelates. The chelation theory proposed by Tweedy provides a plausible explanation for how the toxicity of these compounds increases [
22]. Through sharing a portion of the positive charge of the metal ion with the donor group and potential electron delocalization within the entire chelate ring system formed during coordination, chelation can significantly reduce the polarity of the metal ion. This chelation can increase the lipophilicity of the central metal atom, increasing the hydrophobicity and liposolubility of the complex and facilitating its passage through the lipid layers of the cell membrane. This process can accelerate the rate of uptake or entry, thereby enhancing the antimicrobial activity of the test compound. Therefore, the antimicrobial activity of the complex and the ability to inactivate other essential cellular enzymes involved in various metabolic pathways of microorganisms, as well as enzymes responsible for respiratory processes, can be attributed to the increased lipophilicity of the complex. Additionally, the action mode of these compounds may involve the formation of a hydrogen bond between the azomethine nitrogen atom and the active centers of cellular constituents, thereby interfering with normal cellular processes. The variation in the effectiveness of different compounds against different organisms may depend on microbial cell ribosome variations and cell wall impermeability [
23]. These complexes can also inhibit protein synthesis, interfere with cell respiration, and further limit the growth of the organism.