Issue 2, 2026, Issue in Progress

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

Abstract

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.

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

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Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
11 Oct 2025
Accepted
13 Dec 2025
First published
05 Jan 2026
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2026,16, 1457-1498

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

K. Haseeb, M. H. Mustafa, W. Zafar, A. U. Hassan, Z. H. Chohan and S. H. Sumrra, RSC Adv., 2026, 16, 1457 DOI: 10.1039/D5RA07766D

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