Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
08:33
Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic MCF-7 and Non-Tumor MCF-10A Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis
Published on: August 11, 2022
2.9K
Anticancer Activity of Schiff Base Metal Complexes Against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line.
Justyna Samaszko-Fiertek1, Barbara Dmochowska1, Janusz Madaj1
1Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63 Street, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Metal complexes with Schiff bases show promise for breast cancer therapy. These compounds, particularly those with salicylaldehyde or sulfur-containing ligands, demonstrate significant anticancer activity against the MCF-7 cell line, offering a potential alternative to platinum-based drugs.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Oncology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Metal complexes, particularly those incorporating Schiff base ligands, are emerging as a promising area of research for cancer treatment.
- The MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line is a widely utilized model for evaluating the efficacy of potential anticancer agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize findings on the anticancer activity of metal complexes with Schiff base ligands against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.
- To categorize these metal complexes based on their ligand structures and evaluate their therapeutic potential.
- To assess the viability of these compounds as alternatives to existing platinum-based chemotherapeutics.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and SciELO databases.
- Search terms included "Schiff base," "breast cancer," "MCF-7," and "metal complexes."
- Studies published between 2020 and 2025, focusing on cytotoxic activity and written in English, were selected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- 37 relevant scientific articles were identified and categorized into three groups based on ligand structure: salicylaldehyde-based, sulfur-containing, and other Schiff base ligands.
- Metal complexes with salicylaldehyde-based Schiff base ligands formed the largest group, showing significant anticancer activity.
- Metal complexes featuring sulfur atoms in their ligands also presented promising cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 cells.
Conclusions:
- Schiff base metal complexes exhibit diverse biological activities, including potent anticancer properties against breast cancer.
- These metal complexes represent a potentially cost-effective and more efficacious alternative to current platinum-based cancer therapies.
- Further research into Schiff base metal complexes could lead to the development of novel drugs for breast cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
24.2K
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
24.2K
02:58Properties of Transition Metals
29.7K
Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
29.7K
03:06Alkali Metals
24.5K
Group 1 elements are soft and shiny metallic solids. They are malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. The melting points of the alkali metals are unusually low for metals and decrease going down the group, while the density increases going down the group with the exception of potassium (Table 1).
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals
24.5K
02:37Metallic Solids
20.6K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
20.6K
03:45Formation of Complex Ions
26.0K
A type of Lewis acid-base chemistry involves the formation of a complex ion (or a coordination complex) comprising a central atom, typically a transition metal cation, surrounded by ions or molecules called ligands. These ligands can be neutral molecules like H2O or NH3, or ions such as CN− or OH−. Often, the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating a pair of electrons to the central atom. These types of Lewis acid-base reactions are examples of a broad subdiscipline called coordination...
26.0K
02:32Bonding in Metals
52.3K
Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.
52.3K