Medicinal importance of benzimidazole and its metal complexes : A review

Benzimidazole is a vital component in medicine due to its distinctive bicyclic aromatic structure, which is a characteristic of heterocyclic compounds. The predominant naturally occurring benzimidazole molecule, N-ribosyl-dimethyl benzimidazole, acts as a ligand for cobalt in vitamin B12. Scientists have been studying heterocyclic compounds like Indole, Benzimidazole, Benzothiazole, and Benzoxazole, along with their associated complexes due to their therapeutic characteristics. Transition metal-based complexes such as Silver (I), Ruthenium (II), Zinc (II), Copper (II), Cobalt (II), Nickel (II), and Gold(I) ions have attracted significant interest as promising anti-tumour therapeutic agents. These substances have been shown to be effective against a wide range of ailments, such as ulcers, cancer, hypertension, fungal infections, inflammation, TB, parasites, obesity, malaria, glycation, viruses, neuropathy, pain, oxidation, and allergies. The purpose of this review is to aid researchers in creating and combining novel and exceptionally potent variations of benzimidazole and their corresponding metal compounds. These compounds show significant potential for use in several medicinal fields.