Metal-based triazoles as a medical marvel of the modern era - a comprehensive review

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Antimicrobial resistance is escalating globally, driving the search for newer, more efficient pharmaceutical agents. This review systematically investigates metal-based triazole Schiff base compounds, covering synthetic methods, structural characterization, and a broad spectrum of biological activities. Emphasis is placed on antimicrobial performance alongside cytotoxic effects, DNA interactions, and anti-cancer and enzymatic applications. Metal ions combined with organic ligands often yield improved antimicrobial efficacy versus conventional organic antimicrobials. A research overview is provided for triazole-based metal complexes studied from 2006 to 2024 as antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, anticancer, DNA-binding, and enzyme-inhibiting agents.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages42

Reading Time1 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance: a silent pandemic

RSC Advances REVIEW Cite this: RSC Adv., 2026, 16, 1457 Received 11th October 2025 Accepted 13th December 2025 DOI: 10.1039/d5ra07766d[rsc.li/rsc-advances](rsc.li/rsc-advances) Metal-based triazoles as a medical marvel of the modern era: a comprehensive review Kashif Haseeb,a Muhammad Hasnain Mustafa,a Wardha Zafar,a Abrar Ul Hassan, b Zahid Hussain Chohanc and Sajjad Hussain Sumrra *a Antimicrobial resistance is raising serious health concerns across the globe, and its adverse eﬀects are elevating day by day. Researchers are making eﬀorts to ﬁnd new and more eﬃcient pharmaceutical agents to overcome this growing challenge. Metal-based drugs are very useful in this regard, and hence, they are gaining more attention from researchers. This review systematically examines metal-based triazole Schiﬀ base compounds, delving into their synthetic methodologies, structural characterization and a range of bioactivities. With a precise emphasis on antimicrobial properties along with cytotoxicity eﬀects, DNA interactions and anti-cancerous and enzymatic applications, researches explores that these compounds are innovative solutions to the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance. The synergistic combination of metal ions and organic ligands within these complexes often results in enhanced antimicrobial eﬃcacy compared to traditional organic antimicrobials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of triazole-based metal complexes under research from 2006 to 2024, which can be used as antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, anticancer, DNA interaction and enzyme inhibition agents. 1 Introduction 1.1 Antimicrobial resistance: a silent pandemic One of the most important developments that has improved human wellness is the discovery of medications to prevent aDepartment of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Punjab, Pakistan. E-mail: [sajjadchemist@uog.edu.pk](sajjadchemist@uog.edu.pk); [sajjadchemist@gmail.com](sajjadchemist@gmail.com) bDepartment of Chemistry, Lunen Institute of Technology, Tanghzhou 37299, China cDepartment of Chemistry, University of Southern Punjab, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan potentially fatal infections caused by bacteria. On the other hand, mortality rates, safe alimentary products and therapeutic advances are all hampered by antibiotic resistance.1 The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance has become more prominent in recent years. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms like fungi and bacteria do not respond to the antibacterial drugs or when the eﬀect of these microbes is elevated. Global estimates place the amount of money lost due to antibiotic resistance around the range of $300 billion and $1 trillion until 2050.2 The Organization for Economic Cooperation Kashif Haseeb holds BS and MPhil degrees in Chemistry from the University of Gujrat (UOG), Pakistan, with his MPhil research conducted under the supervision of Dr Sajjad Hussain Sumrra. His research focuses on designing coordination and chelated metal complexes and understanding their biological activity. He strives to advance the development of metal-based drugs with signi􀀁cant therapeutic potential. Muhammad Hasnain Mustafa Muhammad Hasnain Mustafa has received his BS and MPhil degrees in Chemistry from the University of Gujrat (UOG), Pakistan. His research interests include the synthesis, characterization, and medicinal applications of metal-based drugs, coordination and chelated complexes, and bioinorganic compounds with potential pharmaceutical importance. He is particularly focused on exploring metal complexes as therapeutic agents, studying their structural features, and understanding their biological activity pro􀀁les for future drug development applications. © 2026 The Author(s) . Published by the Royal Society of Chemistry RSC Adv., 2026, 16, 1457–1498 | 1457 RSC Advances Review and Development (OECD) estimates that the combined GDP loss for its member countries will be between twent

FAQs

What is the main motivation for studying metal-based triazole Schiff base compounds?

The review is motivated by the global escalation of antimicrobial resistance and the need for new, more efficient pharmaceutical agents to address this challenge.

Which research areas does the review cover for these compounds?

It covers synthesis, structural characterization, and bioactivities, with particular focus on antimicrobial properties, cytotoxicity, DNA interactions, and anti-cancer and enzymatic applications.

How do metal ions and organic ligands influence antimicrobial activity in these complexes?

The review states that the synergistic combination of metal ions and organic ligands within the complexes often enhances antimicrobial efficacy compared with traditional organic antimicrobials.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven