Structural requirements for anti-oxidant activity of calix[n]arenes and their associated anti-bacterial activity

Treatment of neural cells with calix[n]arenes featuring sulphonate moieties and linked to Ag nanoparticles results in reduced reactive species. For Gram+ bacteria there is an inverse correlation between anti-bacterial activity and ROS reduction whereas for Gram- bacteria only calix[6]arenes bearing O-alkyl sulphonate functions act as ROS inhibitors and anti-bacterial agents.