The Study on Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Coumarins

Abstract

Coumarin has drawn much attention due to its wide range of pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor, anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-HIV and anti-bacterial. In clinic, coumarin derivatives have been used as anticoagulant and rheumatoid arthritis therapy. Coumarins have become the research hot point based on their different treatment effects to diseases and less damage to normal cells. This review highlights the anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, anti-cancer activity and Alzheimer's disease (AD) inhibition of the natural and synthetic coumarins, specifically elaborates the different mechanisms of anticancer effects of the coumarin derivatives, providing a support for further cancer treatment.