REVIEW: Biomedical applications of Schiff base metal complexes

Metal complexes of Schiff bases synthesized from condensation of an amine with carbonyl compounds are widely used for industrial purposes such as catalysts, pigments and dyes, intermediates in organic synthesis, polymer stabilizers, and corrosion inhibitors. For design and development of various bioactive compounds, Schiff bases carrying imine or azomethine (−C = N–) functional group, are versatile pharmacophores. Medicinal chemists give attention toward new chemotherapeutic Schiff bases and their metal complexes owing to numerous applications in pharmacology as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antituberculosis, anticancer, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic agents. This review highlights recently synthesized Schiff bases as well as their metal complexes as potential bioactive core.