Recent advances in biological activities of rhodium complexes: Their applications in drug discovery research

Developing a Rhodium(III) Complex to Reprogram the Tumor Immune and Metabolic Microenvironments: Overcoming Multidrug Resistance and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

To effectively inhibit the growth and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and overcome its multidrug resistance (MDR), we designed and synthesized a series of rhodium (Rh, III) 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone complexes. Through studying their structure-activity relationships, we identified the Rh(III) complex (Rh4) with excellent cytotoxicity against multidrug-resistant lung cancer cells (A549/ADR cells). Additionally, we successfully constructed an apoferritin (AFt) nanoparticle (NP) delivery system (AFt-Rh4 NPs). Importantly, AFt-Rh4 NPs not only exhibited excellent antitumor and antimetastatic capabilities against multidrug-resistant NSCLC in vivo but also demonstrated enhanced targeting ability and reduced systemic toxicity and adverse effects. Furthermore, we confirmed and elucidated the mechanisms by which Rh4/AFt-Rh4 NPs inhibit tumor metastasis and reverse MDR in NSCLC. This was achieved by reprogramming the immune and metabolic tumor microenvironments through induction of immunogenic cell death and inhibition of dual-energy metabolism.

Rhodium(III) Complex Noncanonically Potentiates Antitumor Immune Responses by Inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Metal-based chemoimmunotherapy has recently garnered significant attention for its capacity to stimulate tumor-specific immunity beyond direct cytotoxic effects. Such effects are usually caused by ICD via the activation of DAMP signals. However, metal complexes that can elicit antitumor immune responses other than ICD have not yet been described. Herein, we report that a rhodium complex (Rh-1) triggers potent antitumor immune responses by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling with subsequent activation of T lymphocyte infiltration to the tumor site. The results of mechanistic experiments suggest that ROS accumulation following Rh-1 treatment is a critical trigger of a decrease in β-catenin and enhanced secretion of CCL4, a key mediator of T cell infiltration. Through these properties, Rh-1 exerts a synergistic effect in combination with PD-1 inhibitors against tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, our work describes a promising metal-based antitumor agent with a noncanonical mode of action to sensitize tumor tissues to ICB therapy.

Enhancing Bioactivity of N,N,N-Chelating Rhodium(III) Complexes with Ionic Liquids: Toward Targeted Cancer Therapy

This study investigates the potential of using ionic liquids as cosolvents to enhance the solubility and activity of poorly soluble rhodium(III) complexes, particularly those with diene, pyridine derivatives, and camphor-derived bis-pyrazolylpyridine ligands, in relation to 5'-GMP, CT-DNA, and HSA as well as their biological activity. Findings indicate that ionic liquids significantly increase the substitution activity of these complexes toward 5'-GMP while only marginally affecting DNA/HSA binding affinities with molecular docking, further confirming the experimental results. Lipophilicity assessments indicated good lipophilicity. Notably, cytotoxicity studies show that Rh2 is selectively effective against HeLa cancer cells, with IL1 and IL10 modulating the cytotoxic effects. Redox evaluations indicate that rhodium complexes induce oxidative stress in cancerous cells while maintaining redox balance in noncancerous cells. By elucidating the role of ionic liquids in modulating these effects, the study proposes a promising avenue for augmenting the efficacy and selectivity of cancer treatments, thus opening new horizons in cancer therapeutics.

Anticancer activity of 8-hydroxyquinoline-triphenylphosphine rhodium(III) complexes targeting mitophagy pathways

Metallodrugs exhibiting distinct mechanisms of action compared with cisplatin hold promise for overcoming cisplatin resistance and improving the efficacy of anticancer drugs. In this study, a new series of rhodium (Rh)(III) complexes containing tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I) chloride [(TPP)3RhCl] (TPP = triphenylphosphine, TPP=O = triphenylphosphine oxide) and 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives (H-XR1-H-XR4), namely [Rh(XR1)2(TPP)Cl]·(TPP=O) (Yulin Normal University-1a [YNU-1a]), [Rh(XR2)2(TPP)Cl] (YNU-1b), [Rh(XR3)2(TPP)Cl] (YNU-1c), and [Rh(XR4)2(TPP)Cl] (YNU-1d), was synthesized and characterized via X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry and IR. The cytotoxicity of the compounds YNU-1a-YNU-1d in Hep-G2 and HCC1806 human cancer cell lines and normal HL-7702 cell line was evaluated. YNU-1c exhibited cytotoxicity and selectivity in HCC1806 cells (IC50 = 0.13 ± 0.06 μM, selectivity factor (SF) = 384.6). The compounds YNU-1b and YNU-1c, which were selected for mechanistic studies, induced the activation of apoptotic pathways and mitophagy. In addition, these compounds released cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3/pro-caspase-3 and downregulated the levels of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I/IV (M1 and M4) and ATP. The compound YNU-1c, which was selected for in vivo experiments, exhibited tumor growth inhibition (58.9 %). Importantly, hematoxylin and eosin staining and TUNEL revealed that HCC1806 tumor tissues exhibited significant apoptotic characteristics. YNU-1a-YNU-1d compounds are promising drug candidates that can be used to overcome cisplatin resistance.

Cu(II) flavonoids as potential photochemotherapeutic agents

Flavonoids, naturally derived polyphenolic compounds, have received significant attention due to their remarkable biochemical properties that offer substantial health benefits to humans. In this work, a series of six Cu(II) flavonoid complexes of the formulation [Cu(L1)(L2)](ClO4) where L1 is 3-hydroxy flavone (HF1, 1 and 4), 4-fluoro-3-hydroxy flavone (HF2, 2 and 5), and 2,6-difluoro-3-hydroxy flavone (HF3, 3 and 6); L2 is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 1-3) and 2-(anthracen-1-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (aip, 4-6) were successfully synthesized, fully characterized and also evaluated for their in vitro photo-triggered cytotoxicity in cancer cells. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure of complex 2 shows square pyramidal geometry around the Cu(II) center. The complexes 1-6 showed quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric responses for the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple at ∼-0.230 V with a very large ΔEp value of ∼350-480 mV against the Ag/AgCl reference electrode in DMF-0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) at a scan rate of 50 mV s-1. The complexes were found to have considerable binding propensity for human serum albumin (HSA) and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). The complexes displayed remarkable dose-dependent photocytotoxicity in visible light (400-700 nm) in both A549 (human lung cancer) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer) cell lines while remaining significantly less toxic in darkness. They were found to be much less toxic to HPL1D (immortalized human peripheral lung epithelial) normal cells compared to A549 and MCF-7 cancer cells. Upon exposure to visible light, they generate reactive oxygen species, which are thought to be the main contributors to the death of cancer cells. In the presence of visible light, the complexes predominantly elicit an apoptotic mode of cell death. Complex 6 preferentially localizes in the mitochondria of A549 cells.

Anticancer Metallocenes and Metal Complexes of Transition Elements from Groups 4 to 7

With the progression in the field of bioinorganic chemistry, the role of transition metal complexes as the most widely used therapeutics is becoming a more and more attractive research area. The complexes of transition metals possess a great variety of attractive pharmacological properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-infective, etc., activities. Transition metal complexes have proven to be potential alternatives to biologically active organic compounds, especially as antitumor agents. The performance of metal coordination compounds in living systems is anticipated to differ generally from the action of non-metal-containing drugs and may offer unique diagnostic and/or therapeutic opportunities. In this review, the rapid development and application of metallocenes and metal complexes of elements from Groups 4 to 7 in cancer diagnostics and therapy have been summarized. Most of the heavy metals discussed in the current review are newly discovered metals. That is why the use of their metal-based compounds has attracted a lot of attention concerning their organometallic and coordination chemistry. All of this imposes more systematic studies on their biological activity, biocompatibility, and toxicity and presupposes further investigations.

A computational insight on the aromatic amino acids conjugation with [Cp*Rh(H2O)3]2+ by using the meta-dynamics/FMO3 approach

CONTEXT

Rh(III) complexes demonstrated to exert promising pharmacological effects with potential applications as anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and antimicrobial agents. One important Rh(III)-ligand is the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) group forming in water the [Cp*Rh(H2O)3]2+ complex. Among of its attractive chemical properties is the ability to react specifically with Tyr amino acid side chain of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) peptides by means of highly chemoselective bioconjugation reaction, at room temperature and at pH 5-6. In this computational work, in order to deepen the mechanism of this chemoselective conjugation, we study the ligand exchange reaction between [Cp*Rh(H2O)3]2+ and three small molecules, namely p-cresol, 3-methylimidazole, and toluene, selected as mimetic of aromatic side chains of tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp) and phenylalanine (Phe), respectively. Our outcomes suggest that the high selectivity for Tyr side chain might be related to OH group able to affect both thermodynamic and kinetic of ligand exchange reaction, due to its ability to act as both H bond acceptor and donor. These mechanistic aspects can be used to design new metal drugs containing the [Cp*Rh]2+ scaffold targeting specifically Tyr residues involved in biological/pathological processes such as phosphorylation by means of Tyr-kinase enzyme and protein-protein interactions.

METHODS

The geometry of three encounter complexes and product adducts were optimized at the B3LYP//CPCM/ωB97X-D level of theory, adopting the 6-311+G(d,p) basis set for all non-metal atoms and the LANL2DZ pseudopotential for the Rh atom. Meta-dynamics RMSD (MTD(RMSD)) calculations at GFN2-xTB level of theory were performed in NVT conditions at 298.15 K to investigate the bioconjugation reactions (simulation time: 100 ps; integration step 2.0; implicit solvent model: GBSA). The MTD(RMSD) simulation was performed in two replicates for each encounter complex. Final representative subsets of 100 structures for each run were gained with a sampling rate of 1 ps and analyzed by performing single point calculations using the FMO3 method at RI-MP2/6-311G//PCM[1] level of theory, adopting the MCP-TZP core potential for Rh atom.

First-Row Transition Metal Complexes Incorporating the 2-(2'-pyridyl)quinoxaline Ligand (pqx), as Potent Inflammatory Mediators: Cytotoxic Properties and Biological Activities against the Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) and Thrombin

Inflammatory mediators constitute a recently coined term in the field of metal-based complexes with antiplatelet activities. Our strategy targets Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) and its receptor, which is the most potent lipid mediator of inflammation. Thus, the antiplatelet (anti-PAF) potency of any substance could be exerted by inhibiting the PAF-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs), which internationally is a well-accepted methodology. Herein, a series of mononuclear (mer-[Cr(pqx)Cl3(H2O]) (1), [Co(pqx)Cl2(DMF)] (2) (DMF = N,N'-dimethyl formamide), [Cu(pqx)Cl2(DMSO)] (3) (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide), [Zn(pqx)Cl2] (4)) and dinuclear complexes ([Mn(pqx)(H2O)2Cl2]2 (5), [Fe(pqx)Cl2]2 (6) and [Ni(pqx)Cl2]2 (7)) incorporating the 2-(2'-pyridyl)quinoxaline ligand (pqx), were biologically evaluated as inhibitors of the PAF- and thrombin-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs). The molecular structure of the five-co-ordinate analog (3) has been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealing a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. All complexes are potent inhibitors of the PAF-induced aggregation in WRPs in the micromolar range. Complex (6) displayed a remarkable in vitro dual inhibition against PAF and thrombin, with IC50 values of 1.79 μM and 0.46 μM, respectively. Within the series, complex (5) was less effective (IC50 = 39 μM) while complex (1) was almost 12-fold more potent against PAF, as opposed to thrombin-induced aggregation. The biological behavior of complexes 1, 6 and 7 on PAF's basic metabolic enzymatic pathways reveals that they affect key biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes of PAF underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of the relevant complexes. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of all complexes in HEK293T (human embryonic kidney cells) and HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells) are described via the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results reveal that complex 3 is the most potent within the series.

A novel tetranuclear Cu(ii) complex for DNA-binding and in vitro anticancer activity

A novel tetranuclear Cu(ii) complex (TNC) was successfully synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been studied by UV-vis absorption titration, fluorescence technology and molecular docking. The results indicated that TNC could bind to the DNA through an intercalative mode. The agarose gel electrophoresis experiment showed that TNC could cleave supercoiled plasmid DNA into linear DNA. The anticancer activity of TNC was tested on four cancer cell lines: MCF7, A549, 4T1 and HepG2. The results indicated that TNC shown significant activity against all of above cell lines.

Study of novel bidentate heterocyclic amine-based metal complexes and their biological activities: cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity evaluation

Metallic antitumor drugs with heterocyclic ligands, such as novel AMI (amino methyl imidazole) complexes [Pd(AMI)Cl₂](1), [Cu(AMI)L¹](2), and [Cu(AMI)L²·2H₂O](3) where L¹ = oxalate and L² = malonate, were synthesized and characterized. Assessments included elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The cytotoxicity of AMI complexes compared to cisplatin was assessed using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] 2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay with breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. After treating these cells with the AMI complexes' IC₅₀ values for 48 h, malondialdehyde levels and catalase activity were used to assess oxidative stress, antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH radical scavenging method, comet assays assessed DNA damage, and DNA fragmentation was evaluated using the gel electrophoresis. In vitro, antimicrobial activity was assessed using a disc diffusion method. The anticancer activity results showed that IC₅₀ (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of complex one, two, and three against MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells are 0.156 ± 0.0006, 0.125 ± 0.001, 0.277 ± 0.002 μM respectively for MCF-7 cells and 0.222 ± 0.0005, 0.126 ± 0.0009, 0.152 ± 0.001 μM respectively for HeLa cells. Complex two demonstrated strong anticancer activity against MCF-7 and Hela cells. The study of oxidative stress parameters revealed that Malondialdehyde levels increased in cancer cell lines treated with complexes compared to untreated cells. Catalase activity decreased in cells treated with palladium chelate. The DPPH radical scavenging assay results identified that complex one was a more potent antioxidant in MCF-7 and Hela cells than other complexes with SC₅₀ values of 227.5 ± 0.28 and 361 ± 1.2 μL/mL, respectively. The comet assay results showed that complex two caused significant DNA damage in MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells treated. Antimicrobial assays identified complex three as the most effective. Copper complexes give better antifungal activity against A. flavus than the palladium complex. We conclude that complex two is the most active in both cell types and might be assessed as a clinically useful drug for breast cancer treatment. The significance of the current study is the synthesis of antitumor drugs containing heterocyclic ligands, such as novel AMI complexes, and the study of their biological activities.

PROTACs in the Management of Prostate Cancer

Cancer treatments with targeted therapy have gained immense interest due to their low levels of toxicity and high selectivity. Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have drawn special attention in the development of cancer therapeutics owing to their unique mechanism of action, their ability to target undruggable proteins, and their focused target engagement. PROTACs selectively degrade the target protein through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which describes a different mode of action compared to conventional small-molecule inhibitors or even antibodies. Among different cancer types, prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent non-cutaneous cancer in men. Genetic alterations and the overexpression of several genes, such as FOXA1, AR, PTEN, RB1, TP53, etc., suppress the immune response, resulting in drug resistance to conventional drugs in prostate cancer. Since the progression of ARV-110 (PROTAC for PC) into clinical phases, the focus of research has quickly shifted to protein degraders targeting prostate cancer. The present review highlights an overview of PROTACs in prostate cancer and their superiority over conventional inhibitors. We also delve into the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and explain the structural design and linkerology strategies for PROTAC molecules. Additionally, we touch on the various targets for PROTAC in prostate cancer, including the androgen receptor (AR) and other critical oncoproteins, and discuss the future prospects and challenges in this field.

Tin(II) and Tin(IV) Complexes Incorporating the Oxygen Tripodal Ligands [(η5-C5R5)Co{P(OEt)2O}3]-, (R = H, Me; Et = -C2H5) as Potent Inflammatory Mediator Inhibitors: Cytotoxic Properties and Biological Activities against the Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) and Thrombin

Metal complexes displaying antiplatelet properties is a promising research area. In our methodology, Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF), the most potent lipid pro-inflammatory mediator, serves as a biological probe. The antiplatelet activity is exerted by the inhibition of the PAF-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs) and in rabbit plasma rich in platelets (rPRPs). Herein, the synthesis and biological investigation of a series of organometallic tin(II) and tin(IV) complexes, featuring the oxygen tripodal Kläui ligands [(η⁵-C₅R₅)Co{P(OEt)₂O}₃]^-, {R = H, (L_OEt^-); Me (L*_OEt^-)}, are reported. Reaction of NaL_OEt (1a) and NaL*_OEt (1b) with SnCl₂, yielded the rare four-coordinate L_OEtSnCl (2a) and L*_OEtSnCl (2b) complexes. Accordingly, L_OEtSnPh₃ (3a) and L*_OEtSnPh₃ (3b) were prepared, starting from Ph₃SnCl. Characterization includes spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies for 2a, 2b and 3b. The antiplatelet activity of the lead complexes 2b and 3a (IC₅₀ = 0.5 μΜ) is superior compared to that of 1a and 1b, while both complexes display a pronounced inhibitory activity against thrombin (IC₅₀ = 1.8 μM and 0.6 μM). The in vitro cytotoxic activities of 3a and 2b on human Jurkat T lymphoblastic tumor cell line is higher than that of cisplatin.

The elements of life: A biocentric tour of the periodic table

Living systems are built from a small subset of the atomic elements, including the bulk macronutrients (C,H,N,O,P,S) and ions (Mg,K,Na,Ca) together with a small but variable set of trace elements (micronutrients). Here, we provide a global survey of how chemical elements contribute to life. We define five classes of elements: those that are (i) essential for all life, (ii) essential for many organisms in all three domains of life, (iii) essential or beneficial for many organisms in at least one domain, (iv) beneficial to at least some species, and (v) of no known beneficial use. The ability of cells to sustain life when individual elements are absent or limiting relies on complex physiological and evolutionary mechanisms (elemental economy). This survey of elemental use across the tree of life is encapsulated in a web-based, interactive periodic table that summarizes the roles chemical elements in biology and highlights corresponding mechanisms of elemental economy.

Targeting of the intracellular redox balance by metal complexes towards anticancer therapy

The development of cancers is often linked to the alteration of essential redox processes, and therefore, oxidoreductases involved in such mechanisms can be considered as attractive molecular targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies. On the other hand, for more than two decades, transition metals derivatives have been leading the research on drugs as alternatives to platinum-based treatments. The success of such compounds is particularly due to their attractive redox kinetics properties, favorable oxidation states, as well as routes of action different to interactions with DNA, in which redox interactions are crucial. For instance, the activity of oxidoreductases such as PHD2 (prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein) which can regulate angiogenesis in tumors, LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) related to glycolysis, and enzymes, such as catalases, SOD (superoxide dismutase), TRX (thioredoxin) or GSH (glutathione) involved in controlling oxidative stress, can be altered by metal effectors. In this review, we wish to discuss recent results on how transition metal complexes have been rationally designed to impact on redox processes, in search for effective and more specific cancer treatments.

Cell nucleus localization and high anticancer activity of quinoline-benzopyran rhodium(III) metal complexes as therapeutic and fluorescence imaging agents

Four novel rhodium(III) complexes, [Rh^III(QB1)Cl₃(DMSO)] (RhN1), [Rh^III(QB2)Cl₃(CH₃OH)]·CH₃OH (RhN2), [Rh^III(QB3)Cl₃(CH₃OH)]·CH₃OH (RhS), and [Rh^III(QB4)Cl₃(DMSO)] (RhQ), bearing quinoline-benzopyran ligands (QB1-QB4) were synthesized and used to develop highly anticancer therapeutic and fluorescence imaging agents. Compared with the QB1-QB4 ligands (IC₅₀ > 89.2 ± 1.7 μM for A549/DDP), RhN1, RhN2, RhS and RhQ exhibit selective cytotoxicity against lung carcinoma cisplatin-resistant A549/DDP (A549CDDP) cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.08-2.7 μM. The fluorescent imaging agent RhQ with the more extended planar QB4 ligand exhibited high anticancer activity in A549CDDP cells and was found in the cell nucleus fraction, whereas RhS had no fluorescence properties. RhQ and RhS may trigger cell apoptosis by causing DNA damage and initiating the mitochondrial dysfunction pathway. Furthermore, RhQ has a higher antitumor efficacy (ca. 55.3%) than RhS (46.4%) and cisplatin (CDDP, 33.1%), and RhQ demonstrated significantly lower toxicity in vivo than CDDP, making it a promising Rh(III)-based anticancer therapeutic and fluorescence imaging agent.

A single-molecular ruthenium(II) complex-based NIR-II fluorophore for enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy

Novel NIR-II Ru(II) polypyridyl fluorophore Ru-1 dots for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy against 4T1 tumors were designed and synthesized. Guided by in vivo NIR-II fluorescence imaging, the synergistic therapeutic efficacy, intracellular delivery, and biodistribution of the Ru-1 dots were precisely tracked in real-time.

Bioactivity and Development of Small Non-Platinum Metal-Based Chemotherapeutics

Countless expectations converge in the multidisciplinary endeavour for the search and development of effective and safe drugs in fighting cancer. Although they still embody a minority of the pharmacological agents currently in clinical use, metal-based complexes have great yet unexplored potential, which probably hides forthcoming anticancer drugs. Following the historical success of cisplatin and congeners, but also taking advantage of conventional chemotherapy limitations that emerged with applications in the clinic, the design and development of non-platinum metal-based chemotherapeutics, either as drugs or prodrugs, represents a rapidly evolving field wherein candidate compounds can be fine-tuned to access interactions with druggable biological targets. Moving in this direction, over the last few decades platinum family metals, e.g., ruthenium and palladium, have been largely proposed. Indeed, transition metals and molecular platforms where they originate are endowed with unique chemical and biological features based on, but not limited to, redox activity and coordination geometries, as well as ligand selection (including their inherent reactivity and bioactivity). Herein, current applications and progress in metal-based chemoth are reviewed. Converging on the recent literature, new attractive chemotherapeutics based on transition metals other than platinum—and their bioactivity and mechanisms of action—are examined and discussed. A special focus is committed to anticancer agents based on ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, and iridium, but also to gold derivatives, for which more experimental data are nowadays available. Next to platinum-based agents, ruthenium-based candidate drugs were the first to reach the stage of clinical evaluation in humans, opening new scenarios for the development of alternative chemotherapeutic options to treat cancer.

A review on α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of first row transition metal complexes: a futuristic strategy for treatment of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by high blood glucose levels and has emerged as a controversial public health issue worldwide. The increasing number of patients with T2DM on one hand, and serious long-term complications of the disease such as obesity, neuropathy, and vascular disorders on the other hand, have induced a huge economic impact on society globally. In this regard, inhibition of α-glucosidase, the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of carbohydrates in the body has been the main therapeutic approach to the treatment of T2DM. As α-glucosidase inhibitors (α-GIs) have occupied a special position in the current research and prescription drugs are generally α-GIs, researchers have been encouraged to design and synthesize novel and efficient inhibitors. Previously, the presence of a sugar moiety seemed to be crucial for designing α-GIs since they can attach to the carbohydrate binding site of the enzyme mimicking the structure of disaccharides or oligosaccharides. However, inhibitors lacking glycosyl structures have also shown potent inhibitory activity and development of non-sugar based inhibitors is accelerating. In this respect, in vitro anti-α-glucosidase activity of metal complexes has attracted lots of attention and this paper has reviewed the inhibitory activity of first-row transition metal complexes toward α-glucosidase and discussed their probable mechanisms of action.