Anticancer activity of various transition metal complexes: a review

This is a novel approach towards recovering from cancer disease with help of transition metal complexes. Uses of benzimidazole nucleus in plentiful categories of therapeutic agents such as anticancer, immunomodulators, hormone modulators, CNS stimulants as well as depressants, lipid level modulators, antidiabetics, etc. has made it an indispensable anchor for development of new therapeutic agents. Different substitutents of the benzimidazole nucleus have provided a wide spectrum of biological activities. The current status of benzimidazole nucleus in medicinal chemistry research is matter interests in present scenario. This discussion will further help in the development of novel benzimidazole compounds. Complexes of benzimidazoles (ligand) with transition metal ions possess antitumor activity. Cu2+ complex of benzimidazolylmethyl-1, 3-diaminopropane has the ability to intercalate into the double helix of DNA. N-Trimethylsilylpropylbenzimidazole metal complexes exhibit cytotoxic activity on four monolayer tumor cell lines. Assessment of Pt2+ complexes for antiproliferative properties showed potent activity against human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and HeLa cervix cancer cell lines. Among the metal (copper, silver, iron, manganese) complexes of 2-methyl benzimidazol-5-carboxylic acid hydrazides, the silver complex is found to display cytotoxicity (IC50) against two human cell lines. A Cu2+ complex of 2 pyridinyl benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid has been found to exert potent topoisomerase II inhibitory activity in literature.