Green Synthesis and Antidiabetic Evaluation of Metal-Complexes Derived from Schiff Bases

Abstract

The lack of therapeutic alternatives that are effective, safe and environmentally sustainable has been heightened by the spread of Type 2 diabetes in the global realm. Emerging candidates include the Schiff base metal complexes synthesized through green chemistry strategies that have presented interest due to their multifunctional antidiabetic capability. The high stability, biocompatibility, and environmental non-toxicity of these complexes produced by environment-friendly synthesis protocols based on plant extracts, ethanol or water, and facilitated by microwave- or ultrasonic irradiation points out to the feasibility and economic viability of their application in the synthesis of biodegradable complexes in general. Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) transition metals bearing the cations of electron-rich and aromatic Schiff base ligands are potent hypoglycemics in experimental models that are insulin-like, carbohydrate-metabolizing enzyme (i.e. - -alpha-glucosidase, glycogen-6-phosphatase) inhibitors, reducing oxidative stress, and pancreatic -beta-cell regenerators. Biological analysis such as OGTT, ELISA, oxidative stress and histopathological analysis show that glucose tolerance collected, insulin secretion and integrity of the islet cells have greatly improved. Although they proved to be promising in preclinical studies, poor pharmacokinetic profiling, inability to standardize synthesis protocols, as well as an inability to compare proportions to conventional drugs limits their clinical transfer. In the future, more attention should be paid to the whole scope of toxicological analysis, novel drug delivery, and optimization attempts based on suitable Structure-Activity constituents. On the whole, Schiff base metal complexes synthesized through a green method of synthesis have a potential future as multi-targeted, environmentally-friendly, diabetes management drugs.