Coumarin hybrids as novel therapeutic agents

Naturally occurring coumarins, having wide spectrum of activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, MAO-B inhibitory and antimicrobial, are frequently used by the researchers to develop novel synthetic and semisynthetic coumarin based therapeutic agents. Many of these agents are hybrid molecules, which are designed through concept of molecular hybridization and have shown multiple pharmacological activities. This multifunctional attribute of these hybrid compounds makes them potential drug candidates for the treatment of multifactorial diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic syndromes, AIDS, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases. The present review compiles research reports on development of different coumarin hybrids, classify these on the basis of their therapeutic uses and propose structure–activity relationships. It is intended to help medicinal chemist in designing and synthesizing novel and potent hybrid compounds for the treatment of different disorders.

Fusion of naturally occurring coumarin derivatives, possessing different pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, with other pharmacologically active molecules has produced hybrid molecules. These have multiple biological activities and improved pharmacokinetics. The present review compiles information from publications on these coumarin hybrids and proposes structure activity relations.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide