Bioactive Metal-Schiff Base Complexes: A Review On Antimicrobial And Anticancer Potential

Dr. Veerabathini Manohar; Dr. M. Sridhar; Dr. P. Jyothi; Dr. Sharada battini

doi:10.69980/redvet.v25i2.1886

Dr. Veerabathini Manohar
Dr. M. Sridhar
Dr. P. Jyothi
Dr. Sharada battini

DOI: https://doi.org/10.69980/redvet.v25i2.1886

Keywords: Schiff base, metal complexes, antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, bioinorganic chemistry, coordination compounds.

Abstract

Metal-Schiff base complexes have emerged as a significant class of compounds in coordination chemistry due to their structural versatility and wide range of biological activities. These complexes, formed by the condensation of primary amines with carbonyl compounds, possess chelating properties that enhance the stability and reactivity of metal ions. In recent years, considerable attention has been focused on their bioactivity, particularly their antimicrobial and anticancer potential. The presence of donor atoms such as nitrogen and oxygen in Schiff bases facilitates strong coordination with metal ions, often resulting in improved pharmacological profiles compared to the free ligands or metal salts alone. This review summarises recent advancements in the synthesis, structural features, and biological evaluation of metal-Schiff base complexes. Emphasis is placed on their mechanism of action against microbial pathogens and cancer cell lines, highlighting their mode of interaction with DNA, proteins, and cellular enzymes. The influence of different metal centres, ligand design, and substitution patterns on bioactivity is also discussed. This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of metal-Schiff base complexes as promising candidates in drug development and encourages further studies for clinical translation.

Author Biographies

Dr. Veerabathini Manohar

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Government Degree College, Siddipet (Autonomous), Osmania University

Dr. M. Sridhar

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Government Degree College, Siddipet (Autonomous), Osmania University

Dr. P. Jyothi

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Government Degree College (W) Gajwel, Osmania University

Dr. Sharada battini

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Government Arts & Science College (A), Kamareddy, Telangana University

References

1. Ahmad, M., et al., (2021). Synthesis and characterisation of copper(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands and their antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Journal of Coordination Chemistry, 74(1), 89-103.
2. Gabriele, B., et al., (2022). Ruthenium(II)-Schiff base complexes in cancer therapy: Mechanisms and applications. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 65(2), 392-407.
3. Kumar, R., et al., (2022). The role of Schiff base metal complexes in antimicrobial therapy: Synthesis, characterisation, and activity. Molecules, 27(12), 4002.
4. Patel, R., et al., (2021). Molecular docking studies of metal-Schiff base complexes: Insights into DNA binding and anticancer activity. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 218, 111413.
5. Patil, A., et al., (2021). Biological evaluation of metal-Schiff base complexes: A review. Biological and Medicinal Chemistry, 41(6), 112-121.
6. Rai, M., et al., (2020). Antibacterial Metal Complexes: Mechanisms of Action and Applications. Microbial Pathogenesis, 148, 104466.
7. Singh, S., et al., (2021). Synthesis of novel nickel-Schiff base complexes: Characterization and biological evaluation as anticancer agents. Metal-Based Drugs, 2020, 9024351.
8. Yang, M., et al., (2021). Investigating the antimicrobial mechanisms of metal-Schiff base complexes. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 26(7), 1097-1110.
9. Zhang, Y., et al., (2022). Copper-Schiff base complexes: A new generation of bioactive metal complexes with anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Biochemical Pharmacology, 184, 114345.