A Review on Synthesis and Pharmacological Activity of Coumarins and Their Analogs

Background: Coumarins were reported to possess antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antiplasmodial, antimalarial, and enzyme inhibitory properties. Furthermore, coumarins are a type of vitamin K antagonists. Coumarins had been first organized through perkin reaction; besides Knoevenagel condensation was mentioned as a critical synthetic approach for the synthesis of 3-substituted coumarins. Moreover, Pechmann, Reformatasky and Witting reactions were stated for the preparation of coumarins.

Methods: We undertook a structured search of the method of preparation, the chemical reactivity and biological properties that are associated with coumarins and their analogous.

Results: Coumarins display a wide range of Src Kinase and cholinesterase inhibitor activities and application of coumarins as antidiabetic, antipsychotic and antiproliferative agents has been addressed. Other properties of coumarins such as their role in antitumor, anticancer, and as antioxidants have also been reviewed.

Conclusion: This review concluded that coumarin ring was mixed with other rings, a synergistic effect for each of the ring in their biological activities was obtained, such compounds were exploited to improve various important molecules which provide scaffolds for drug improvement. These compounds were used to broaden a special molecule that gives scaffolds for drug improvement.