Recent developments in the biological activities of 3d-metal complexes with salicylaldehyde-based N, O-donor Schiff base ligands

Schiff base ligands have received attention due to their versatile coordination abilities and potential applications in medicinal and biological fields. This investigation offers an in-depth summary of the current advancements in comprehending the diverse biological impacts demonstrated by 3d-metal complexes of N, O-donor multidentate Schiff base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde and its derivatives. The coordination of these ligands with 3d-metal ions results in the formation of stable complexes. The increasing interest in the creation and production of compounds involving 3d-metals with biologically active ligands has led to significant advances in the field of coordination chemistry. The investigations incorporate a range of biological aspects, including anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, cytotoxic and SOD activities. The metal complexes exhibit enhanced biological activities compared to their parent ligands, attributed to the coordination of the metal ion and the resulting structural modifications. Furthermore, the manuscript discusses the structure–activity relationships that have been established to understand the underlying mechanisms of biological activities of these complexes. Molecular docking studies and spectroscopic techniques have been employed to elucidate the binding interactions between the metal complexes and relevant biomolecules, shedding light on their potential mode of action. These multifaceted complexes, with diverse biological properties, hold promise as valuable candidates in medicinal chemistry and biological research.