Biological Studies and Impacts of Aldimines and Ketimines in the Medicinal Field

Abstract

Nitrogen-containing compounds remain foundational in medicinal chemistry, with imines—particularly aldimines and Ketimines—offering unique structural and biochemical significance. Defined by the imine bond (C=N), these molecules combine chemical versatility with biological adaptability, enabling their participation in both enzymatic processes and synthetic pharmacology. Aldimines, central intermediates in pyridoxal phosphate–dependent enzyme catalysis, are indispensable to amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter biosynthesis. Ketimines, though less common in nature, contribute structural stability and functional mimicry, rendering them valuable in artificial biocatalysts and drug design. Together, they exemplify the dual role of imines as both reactive intermediates and pharmacophores.

Their biomedical relevance extends further through Schiff bases and metal–imine complexes, which demonstrate antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity while also serving as key intermediates in heterocyclic drug synthesis. Theoretical frameworks such as Schiff base catalysis, enamine–imine tautomerism, and Werner’s coordination theory explain the reactivity, stability, and bioactivity of these compounds, while advances in computational chemistry have illuminated their binding dynamics with biological targets. This interplay of structural chemistry and pharmacological innovation situates aldimines and Ketimines at the intersection of organic synthesis, enzymology, and therapeutic development. As contemporary medicine confronts challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and cancer therapy, imine chemistry offers promising solutions. The following study explores these compounds in depth, tracing their structural foundations, biochemical functions, and translational potential in modern drug discovery, thereby underscoring their enduring relevance to the evolution of medicinal science