Transition metal complexes as potential therapeutic agents

Abstract

Transition metals have important place within medicinal biochemistry. Research has shown significant progress in utilization of transition metal complexes as drugs to treat several human diseases like carcinomas, lymphomas, infection control, anti-inflammatory, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Transition metals exhibit different oxidation states and can interact with number of negatively charged molecules. This activity of transition metals has started the development of metal-based drugs with promising pharmacological application and may offer unique therapeutic opportunities. To provide an update on recent advances in the medicinal use of transition metals, a Medline search was undertaken to identify the recent relevant literature.   Key words: Transition metals, metal complexes, anticancer drugs, metal therapeutics.