Coumarins: An important phytochemical with therapeutic potential

Abstract

Coumarin is a benzopyranone derivative with potential activities. Coumarin is generally obtained from a natural source, and also can be chemically synthesized. Coumarins are abundant in nature, and their sources include plant root, rhizomes, leaves, bark, in addition to several marine plants. Simple coumarins are commonly observed in most of the flowering plants, mainly belonging to the families of Rutaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Clusiaceae, Thymelaeaceae, and Oleaceae. In nature, coumarins are of four major subtypes, namely the simple coumarins, pyranocoumarins, furanocoumarins, and the pyrone-substituted coumarins. Osthenol, a prenylated coumarin is a potent monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Coumarins exhibit antifungal, anti-inflammatory activity and antimicrobial activities. Panitins A-G, newer coumarin derivatives are observed with lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide inhibition property, and a new set of coumarins are observed with antiproliferative and anti-leishmanial properties. Oxyprenalated coumarins are observed with melanogenesis modulatory property. Coumarin glycoside shows its potency against diabetic neuropathy. The importance of natural coumarins is correlated to its greater therapeutic potentials with meager toxicity.