Medical applications binding ability

The 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, normally called salicylic acid, is well known due to its medical applications, namely as an antipyretic and in the treatment of certain types of rheumatism. The biological action of this compound is connected4,5 with its ability to bind metal ions. Not only is the efficacy of the treatment increased, but toxicity problems related to the injection of salicylic acid are diminished by administering salicylate metal complexes. 

The first medical application for gold was probably in dentistry. Gold wire was used to bind teeth in position 5000 years ago and bridges were first made in gold by the Romans and Etruscans over 2700 years ago. These serve to demonstrate further man s ability to manipulate and shape gold in... 

The discussed examples clearly demonstrate the importance of azamacrocycles as structural element to create supramolecular function. Their rigid structure, the basicity and transition metal-ion coordinating ability make them suitable as scaffolds and binding sites. Lanthanide chemosensors containing azamacrocyclic ligands have already reached applications in medical diagnostics. Other applications of azamacrocyclic systems with supramolecular functions, particularly in biochemistry, will follow. 

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