Drug design strategies with metal-hydroxyquinoline complexes

ABSTRACT

Introduction: 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives and their complexes with transition metals are the subject of many studies due to their anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and antidiabetic activities.

Areas covered: Within this article, the authors review the synthesis and current applications of metal-8-hydroxyquinoline complexes in drug design with a critical overview of the latest advancements in the field.

Expert opinion: Metal-8-hydroxyquinoline complexes are especially interesting because of their simple synthesis procedures and possible applications in modern medicine. The complexation between transition metal ions and 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives is achieved via their O and N atoms. The main problem with their application is lipophilicity. This particular property has an impact on their solubility, biological activity, transport through the cell membrane, construction of the complex with a receptor, and development of drugs. Furthermore, in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers, the passage of the complexes through the blood-brain barrier can only be ensured through novel drug design.

KEYWORDS:

• 8-hydroxyquinoline
• derivatives
• metal ions
• complexes
• synthesis

Article highlights

• Metals enable healthy organ function and play an essential role in most chemical reactions in the human body.

• Inorganic salts are not suitable in the treatment of metal deficiency due to their toxic effects and poor bioavailability.

• After administration, 8-hydroxyquinoline and its derivatives have an ability to bind metals and to reduce their high level that can cause various disorders in the human body.

• The coordination compounds between metal and 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives are used as potential drugs in treatment of various diseases.

• 8-hydroxyquinoline and its derivatives show anti-neurodegenerative, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer Disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia under the project TR-34012.