The compelling attributes of quinoline scaffolds in medicinal compounds have garnered considerable attention from researchers, due to their notable biological efficacy, biocompatibility, and distinctive photophysical properties. Quinoline complexes, in particular, have emerged as significant entities, demonstrating a wide array of medicinal properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, anthelmintic, anti-HIV, antioxidant, antituberculosis, and antimalarial activities. In addition, they showed promise in photodynamic and neurological studies, along with strong DNA-binding capabilities. In recent years (2010-2023), substantial progress has been made in understanding quinoline complexes. Key aspects such as the lipophilicity, of metal complexes, enzymatic drug degradation factors influencing inhibition, drug performance, disruption of target cell growth, and their impact on DNA have been thoroughly investigated. Researchers have employed advanced methodologies including fluorescent imaging, determination of MIC and IC