Recent advances in the medical use of silver complex.

Abstract Silver has been used for numerous medical conditions for centuries, however, most of the current clinical silver agents all have their own disadvantages limiting the clinical usefulness. Therefore, employing ligands that can strongly coordinate to the active Ag(I) ions is essential. In recent years, systematic discovery and development of silver complex yielded a large number of promising antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer compounds. They were primarily classified into five classes: Ag(I)-NHC complex, Ag(I)-carboxylate complex, Ag(I)-N-ligand complex, Ag(I)-P-ligand complex and Ag(I)-mixed ligand complex. Most of them showed enhanced activities than their pro-ligands, and some even exhibited exciting biological results better than the first line treatments in clinic. This review focuses on the development, application and chemical synthesis of pharmaceutical active silver complexes. Then we discuss the application prospect and development of active silver complex. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Silver(I) complexes were primarily classified into five structural classes. • Most showed enhanced bioactivities than their pro-ligands. • Some exhibited exciting biological results better than the first line treatments. • The enlargement of ligands, the mechanism of action need further research. • The selectivity on the target and the in vivo tests should be focused on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]