Review Paper:
Schiff Bases and
their Metal Complexes as Potential Anticancer Agents: A Critical Review
Gupta Akhilesh Kumar
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(6); 91-108;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/296rjce910108; (2025)
Abstract
Schiff bases are celebrated ligands in coordination chemistry due to their strong
chelating behavior which enables them to form stable complexes with transition metal
ions of various oxidation states. This versatility makes them valuable in diverse
fields ranging from catalysis to materials science and medicinal chemistry with
low toxicity concerns. Platinum-based drugs like cisplatin have been instrumental
in cancer treatment but they come with significant side effects and limitations
such as resistance development. Non-platinum metal-based anticancer agents offer
a promising alternative due to their potentially different mechanisms of action
and ability to overcome resistance.
Some of the metal complexes can indeed interact with cells and trigger various responses
including the activation of transcription factors and signaling pathways. These
interactions can lead to several downstream effects within cancer cells such as
cellular signal transduction pathways leading to apoptosis and the activation of
tumor suppressor genes, cell-cycle arrest, cytotoxic effects and modulation of cellular
adhesive molecules. For anticancer drugs, the focus might be on inhibiting enzymes
involved in cancer cell proliferation or interfering with cellular processes specific
to cancer cells. By modifying the structure of Schiff bases, medicinal chemists
can fine-tune their interactions with these specific targets, optimizing efficacy
against the cancer while minimizing side effects on healthy cells. This flexibility
makes Schiff bases promising candidates for drug development and cancer treatment.
This review highlights anticancer activities of some selected Schiff base ligands
and their metal complexes.
