Bioorganometallic compounds in medicine: The search for new antibacterial agents

Bioorganometallic Chemistry is an inter-disciplinary area of research that midwife researches in organometallic Chemistry, Biology and Medicine. It is a relatively new research area. We recall that the biological application of organometallic compounds date back to the use of Paul Erlich’s Salversan and its analogues in the treatment of syphilis during the world wars. Development in the screening of these compounds for medicinal purposes was however hampered by the issue of toxicity due mainly to their high reactivity. Recent discoveries that certain organometallics are stable in air and water coupled with their ability to alter the structure of well-known organic drugs including their redox chemistries have renewed interest in the screening and testing of these compounds as drug candidates. Here we review the current trends and potentials of this interdisciplinary area of research in the search for novel antibacterial agent. We describe the role of organometallic enzymes/biomolecules as an impetus to the natural biocompatibility of organometallic compounds. The discovery of certain antimicrobial agents that will help restore the activity of some drugs as well as overcome resistance. These worthwhile findings may help in exposing the potentials of this class of compounds so as to encourage researchers, especially in Africa to diversify our research for drug molecules capable of addressing peculiar problems ravaging the continent such as the scourge of malaria, EVD and HIV/AIDS