A Deep Insight into Synthetic and Medicinal Potential of β-Carboline Derivatives: An Update

Abstract

β-Carboline, a prominent framework (within the alkaloid family) has gained significant attention for their synthetic and biological potential owing to their diverse pharmacological and synthetic characteristics. β-Carbolines work as versatile intermediates in organic synthesis and their structural properties make them beneficial for the development of new molecules with specific activities; including abecarnil, cipargamin, and tadalafil. Due to the significant pharmacological relevance of β-carboline derivatives, they demonstrate a varied roles and spark interest in their potential therapeutic applications. In this context, 1(3)-formyl-9H-β-carbolines serve as promising AXB3s that offer alternative routes for the diversity-oriented synthesis of β-carboline scaffolds. These derivatives exhibited remarkable pharmaceutical properties such as osteoprotective, antimicrobial, anticancer, antileishmanial, AChE inhibitor, APN inhibitor, antiproliferative, and antiplasmodial. This review article provides a comprehensive summary (from 2017 to 2024) of the synthetic potential and the biological potential of β-carboline and its derivatives.