Significance of Nano Transition Metal Complexes as Anticancer and Antibacterial Therapeutic Agents

Abstract

Metal complexes have been utilized in medicine for thousands of years in various ways, with positive benefits. They are well recognized as delivery and diagnostic agents with anti-infective, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and neurological properties. Based on this, Co, Zn, and Cu complexes were synthesized using a Schiff base reaction and were fully characterized. The complexes were then assessed using breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-453), and the data show that the Cu–ligand complex was the most potent anticancer agent, followed by the Zn complex, and then the Co complex. This result is supported by DFT theoretical calculations. In addition, the complexes were tested for their biological activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and the data reveal that Cu had a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of both types of bacteria. In summary, the copper complex proved to be a potent anticancer and antibacterial agent, and it can be considered for utilization in future therapies.