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Abstract
The significance of Coumarin and Chromone nucleus was highlighted by several literature reports as a source of potential candidates for anti-inflammatory drug development. Various natural coumarins such as umbelliferone, scopoletin, visnadin, marmin and esculetin demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity through various mechanisms. And various natural chromones such as Amoora rohituka, Dysoxylum binectariferum Schumanniophyton magnificum showed potent antiinflammatory activity. Keeping in view the importance of naturally occurring coumarins and chromones researchers have extensively explored these by synthesizing various derivatives as anti-inflammatory agents. The present review describes the different synthetic methods and the importance of Coumarin and Chromone nucleus, as anti-inflammatory lead molecules. So it may help the medicinal chemists in rational design of future anti-inflammatory molecules based on Coumarin and Chromone scaffold.
Keywords: Coumarins, Chromones, Anti-inflammatory effects, COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX
INTRODUCTION
Inflammation is caused by a variety of stimuli including physical damage, microbial invasion, ultra violet irradiation, and immune reactions. Redness, heat, swelling, and pain are classical symptoms of inflammation. Redness and heat are caused by the increased blood flow whereas swelling occurs due to the increased movement of fluid and white blood cells into the area of inflammation. Release of chemical mediators and compression of nerves in vicinity of the inflammatory process causes pain [1]. If not controlled; inflammation cascades can lead to the development of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic asthma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. Many of these diseases are debilitating and are becoming increasingly common in our aging society. Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition of multiple joints, affects 0.3-1.0% of the general population and is more prevalent among women in developed countries. Osteoarthritis affects 9.6% of men and 18% of women aged more than 60 years. Increases in life expectancy and aging populations are expected to make osteoarthritis the fourth leading cause of disability by the year 2020 [2,3]. Chronic inflammation leads to cancer, which is witnessed by recent experimental and clinical studies. It has been estimated that 15-20% of all cancer deaths resulted from underlying infections and inflammatory reactions. The inflammatory cascade involves a series of events and various inflammatory mediators. The major anti-inflammatory targets include enzymes, cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), 5lipooxygenase (5-LOX), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase; cytokines and cytokine receptors, tumor necrosis...