Biological Activity of Vanadium Pincer Complexes

Abstract

This review focuses on the biological activity of vanadium pincer complexes, exploring their applications as activators or inhibitors of enzymatic function, antioxidants, and agents with potential therapeutic effects. Specifically, their capacities as antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and anticancer agents are examined in detail. The use of pincer ligands for biological applications has grown enormously in the last ten years, as these ligands can confer to the complexes they form properties such as enhanced stability, improved bioavailability, and greater specificity for pharmacological targets, potentially leading to pharmacological synergy. Additionally, the use of vanadium in the development of pharmacologically active compounds has gained attention due to its role in certain biological processes and its ability to interact with proteins by mimicking phosphorus atoms, making vanadium-containing molecules of significant interest for further study.