Biological Activity of Metal Complexes: Design and Characterization Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Metal complexes present an interesting field in biological applications due to their distinct properties and tunable design strategies. They boast anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, antiparasitic, and enzyme-inhibitory actions, and medical practitioners have used these compounds as medicines and imaging agents because of their potential pharmacological activity. This Special Issue titled “Biological Activity of Metal Complexes: Design and Characterization Strategies” examines the makeup, properties, and mechanisms of these compounds, along with new research on how they are regulated and exert their biological actions. The use of metabolomics is crucial for the investigation of metal-based pharmaceutical action as it can identify the biomarkers that indicate whether a tumor is sensitive or resistant to these agents. On the other hand, transition metals (Fe, Cu, and Zn) play an essential role in various bioprocesses related to cognitive activity and neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease. Also, metal complexes with antiproliferative activity have been extensively studied, and a few have elucidated different mechanisms of action and biological targets. However, it is still essential to discover and produce new metal-based compounds with lower toxicity and better biocompatibility. The relation between the chemical structure of potential metallodrugs and their biological activity is critical to uncovering the best therapeutic properties. Digging deeper, knowledge regarding the molecular interaction of metal-based compounds with biological macromolecules like serum albumin will help to design better and more selective agents that are less toxic, longer-lasting, and more effective in the bloodstream during therapy. Medicinal chemists have been encouraged to invest in the discovery of metal complexes as new chemical entities. Ideally, investigation of their biological activity should be pursued as a direct function of strategic design that entails an appropriate selection of ligands and metal centers, guided by robust experimental and computational characterization methods.

Prof. Dr. Enrique González-Vergara
Dr. María Eugenia Castro
Guest Editors

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