The synthesis and spectral characterization of a new PAMAM metallodendrimer modified with four 4-hexylamino-1,8-naphthalimide units was described. The chemical structure of metallodendrimer has been analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electronic, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The antimicrobial activity of PAMAM dendrimer and its Zn complex [Zn(D)(NO)] was investigated in agar medium and in meat-peptone broth against several pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. The antimicrobial screening showed good inhibition activity of the compounds better expressed against the test Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts. The antimicrobial efficacy of cotton fabrics treated with each of the dendrimers was evaluated, and their anti-adhesive and biofilm inhibiting potential was analyzed by SEM. The complex [Zn(D)(NO)] showed stronger antimicrobial and biofilm inhibiting abilities than those of the ligand. The cytotoxicity effect of the dendrimers was also investigated in vitro in model HEp-2 cell line.

The authors acknowledge Grant No H09/03-2016, Fund “Scientific Research”, Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria. IG and PB also acknowledge COST CA15114 “Anti-MIcrobial Coating Innovations to prevent infectious diseases (AMICI)

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