Pt(II) and Au(III) complexes containing Schiff-base ligands: A promising source for antitumor treatment

The effective application of cisplatin in the clinic as an antitumor treatment has stimulated widespread interest in inorganic metal drugs. In particular, complexes containing the transition metals platinum and gold have attracted considerable attention due to their antitumor effects. The Pt(II) and Au(III) Schiff-base complexes are potential antitumor agents because of their remarkable biological activities and good stability, lipophilicity, and electroluminescent properties. These complexes act via various antitumor mechanisms that are unlike those of the classic platinum drugs, providing a feasible solution for improving the serious side effects caused by metal chemotherapy. In this review, promising antitumor agents based on Pt( II) and Au(III) complexes containing Schiff-base ligands, and their biological targets, including G-quadruplex DNA and thioredoxin reductase, are comprehensively summarized. (C) 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The Pt(II) and Au(III) Schiff-base complexes as potential antitumor agents have shown remarkable biological activities and good stability. They act through different mechanisms, providing a feasible solution for improving the side effects of metal chemotherapy.