Anticancer activity, DNA-binding and DNA-denaturing aptitude of palladium(II) dithiocarbamates

Although it is well known that cisplatin and its analogues are effective anticancer agents, but their clinical use is restricted by some serious side effects. Palladium complexes are emerged as alternative metallo-anticancer drugs merited by their structural similarity to platinum(II) complexes, more labile nature, minimal chemoresistance and often water solubility. However, due to exceptional high reactivity of palladium complexes than their platinum counterparts, they are not only obstructed by the sulfur containing molecules to reach their pharmacological targets but also significantly enhance their affinity to convert into inactive trans isomers. This hitch can be overcome by the use of appropriate ligands that can have the potential to turn down the negative lability to positive inertness. This review provides a summary of the anticancer potential, DNA-binding and DNA-denaturing aptitude of various palladium(II) dithiocarbamates in which the presence of the dithiocarbamate moiety significantly improves the anticancer action and, at the same time, reduces the possibility of any damaging side effects.