Versatile biological activities of thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes

One of the most crucial objectives in medicinal chemistry is the development of innovative and beneficial bioactive compounds with various biological activities. Thiosemicarbazone, which serves as a valuable precursor in synthesizing pharmaceutical compounds also acts as a chelating agent and forms complexes with transition metals. They demonstrate remarkable medicinal properties and seem advantageous in terms of generating less toxic and more potent medications. These complexes possess a broad range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and antioxidant, and are used as enzyme inhibitory agents. This review summarizes recent works providing detailed information on the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of several thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes. Examining various metal complexes with distinct medicinal properties and structural characteristics this review aims to understand the diverse biological potential for therapeutic applications. This work aims to illuminate the potential of these compounds in pioneering innovative treatment modalities across diverse domains by developing knowledge about the structural characteristics that determine their various biological effects. The literature cited in this review covers a comprehensive period of research and development on thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes, spanning a period of 17 years from 2006 to 2023, reflecting the evolution and current state of research in this field. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.