Some nontoxic metal-based drugs for selected prevalent tropical pathogenic diseases

Abstract

Metal coordination of bioorganic compounds from both natural and synthetic products is not only gaining recognition in drug design and medicinal inorganic chemistry research, also they are being considered in the improvement of the bioactivity of drugs. What is done in this paper is a review of recent advances in the study of coordination-driven drug delivery, i.e., metal-based drugs (MBDs). The role of some late first row transition metal ions namely Fe, Cu and Zn in the biological activities of metallodrugs such as antimalarials and antimicrobials are highlighted. It was revealed that the interaction between these bio-essential transition metal ions and the organic drugs could enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of such formed drugs. This is because such interactions were proved to have improved the stability, bioavailability and cell delivery functions of the metallodrugs. Emphasizing on the challenge of metal ions toxicity, the researchers concluded on the need for the development of MBDs to combat drug resistant parasites without causing injury to normal cells. This would be of significance in addressing the concern World Health Organisation of ameliorating the increasing mortality rate in developing countries.

Keywords: Metal-based drugs; Metalloenzymes; Non-toxic; Target cell; Tropical pathogens.