DNA Binding and Cleavage Activity of Schiff Base Metal Ion Complexes - A Short Review.

Abstract

Schiff base metal complexes are of great interest due to their diverse application in the field of biological system as well as in molecular magnetism. Design and synthesis of metal based therapeutic drugs draw much attention of the researcher for last few decades. However the interaction between transition metal ion complexes with DNA is the key concept for the investigation of effectiveness of DNA binding anticancer drugs and chemotherapeutic agents. Platinum based drugs was of first choice and cisplatin was the former candidate in this investigation, however the unwanted side effects and health hazards associated with platinum based drugs opened up the door for searching of suitable substitute with improved activity. A number of Schiff base metal ion complexes were tested for their anti-cancerous activity and it was found that cationic character, structural speciality along with other function took the credit for such complexes to bind with DNA and to stop its polymerization and in some cases cleave the DNA. Metal ion complexes of copper, nickel and cobalt are of great interest towards inorganic chemists to focus on clinical applications. From literature it was found that among different transition metal ions Cu(II) is suitable alternative to cisplatin. Cobalt complexes posses antiviral, antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant property and found application as anticancer agents. Nickel complexes play vital role in bioinorganic chemistry and they have been examined for inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.