Cellular toxicity of organotellurans: a systematic review of pre-clinical studies.

Organotellurans, which are organometallic compounds containing a tellurium atom, have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to their unique structural properties and potential pharmacological applications, despite their potential toxicity risks. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of organotellurans as potential anticancer agents by examining their cellular and genetic mechanisms of action and assessing their toxicity in preclinical studies. A thorough search of multiple databases resulted in the selection of 32 articles that investigated a total of 30 different varieties of organotelluran molecules at varying concentrations. Most of the studies have demonstrated the cytotoxic potential of organotellurans in various cell lines and in vivo experiments, with the observed effects being directly proportional to concentrations and doses. Mechanisms of action included cell cycle arrest, upregulation of caspase proteins, mitochondrial instability, modulation of gene expression associated with cell death mediators such as Bcl2, as well as genotoxic and mutagenic effects. The findings demonstrate the cytotoxic potential of organotellurans against cancer cells. However, additional research is necessary to better comprehend their mechanisms, optimize their efficacy, and address potential toxicity concerns. Organotellurans show promise as potential anticancer agents, but careful consideration of their cytotoxic effects and toxicity profiles is necessary for their future development.