RECENT ADVANCES IN COUMARIN DERIVATIVES FOR DRUG DISCOVERY: BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES, MOLECULAR MECHANISMS, AND THERAPEUTIC PROSPECTS
Keywords:
Coumarin derivatives, Drug discovery, Medicinal chemistry, Anticancer activity, Antimicrobial activity, Molecular docking, Structure–activity relationship.Abstract
Coumarins represent a significant class of naturally occurring and synthetic heterocyclic compounds possessing diverse pharmacological activities. Owing to their structural versatility and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, coumarin derivatives have emerged as promising candidates in contemporary drug discovery and development. Recent investigations have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of coumarin-based compounds against various diseases including cancer, microbial infections, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and viral infections. The advancement of medicinal chemistry, molecular docking, computational drug design, and structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies has further accelerated the development of novel coumarin derivatives with enhanced biological efficacy and reduced toxicity. This review critically examines recent developments in coumarin chemistry, biological activities, molecular mechanisms of action, synthetic strategies, and therapeutic applications reported up to 2025. Additionally, future prospects and challenges associated with coumarin-based drug discovery are discussed.
