Silver Complexes as Anticancer Agents: A Perspective Review

Abstract

Metal complexes gained more attention in the medical field, particularly cancer treatment, due to their enhanced potential and redox ability. These complexes exhibited more significant antiproliferation potential by triggering the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), altering cell membrane, changing cell redox potential and by DNA replication inhibition. Platinum-based metal complex Cisplatin was prepared. It was widely used in treating lung, breast, ovarian and testicular cancers; however, these complexes showed many adverse effects such as renal insufficiency and electrolyte abnormalities, neurotoxicity, ototoxicity, nausea, vomiting and drug resistance. To overcome these side effects and drug resistance mechanisms, silver metal is highly employed as a cytotoxic agent by DNA binding through the formation of disulphide bonds. Moreover, silver complexes exhibited more significant cytotoxicity with the lowest toxicity. This review highlighted silver complexes' anticancer and cytotoxic potential with various bioactive ligands.