An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activities

Coumarin derivatives, characterized by the core α-benzopyranone skeleton, constitute one of their most extensive classes of aromatic metabolites. These naturally occurring compounds are widely distributed in various plants and microbial fermentation products. The coumarin derivatives display diverse...

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Main Authors: Ze-Dong Nan, Tao Liu, Jing Liu, Hui Zhang, Xiao-Yu Zhao, Yan Ge, Chong-Long Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Chemistry
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625005910
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author Ze-Dong Nan
Tao Liu
Jing Liu
Hui Zhang
Xiao-Yu Zhao
Yan Ge
Chong-Long Li
author_facet Ze-Dong Nan
Tao Liu
Jing Liu
Hui Zhang
Xiao-Yu Zhao
Yan Ge
Chong-Long Li
author_sort Ze-Dong Nan
collection DOAJ
description Coumarin derivatives, characterized by the core α-benzopyranone skeleton, constitute one of their most extensive classes of aromatic metabolites. These naturally occurring compounds are widely distributed in various plants and microbial fermentation products. The coumarin derivatives display diverse structural characteristics, and their molecular skeleton can give rise to several complex subclasses. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that coumarins exhibited a broad-spectrum of biological activities. Owing to their diverse structures and potent bioactivities, these compounds have been extensively utilized in the fields of food, fragrances, and medicine. In recent years, a significant number of novel coumarin derivatives have been isolated and elucidated in nature. However, a comprehensive compilation of the corresponding scholarly literature is lacking. To address this gap, our research team recently summarized the newly discovered coumarins from plant sources between 2019 and 2024. As a complementary contribution, this review meticulously summarized the chemical structures and pharmacological activities of these coumarins. Furthermore, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also preliminarily discussed. In total, 156 scholarly articles encompassing 323 naturally occurring coumarin derivatives have been analyzed and documented. Through a detailed analysis and summary of the reported literature, this review lays a solid foundation for in-depth investigation and extensive application of coumarin derivatives.
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spelling doaj-art-d884455b8b2c42bdaa9cc02f4fb6509e2025-08-20T05:06:43ZengElsevierResults in Chemistry2211-71562025-09-011710260810.1016/j.rechem.2025.102608An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activitiesZe-Dong Nan0Tao Liu1Jing Liu2Hui Zhang3Xiao-Yu Zhao4Yan Ge5Chong-Long Li6School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,; Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China; Corresponding author at: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,Ningxia Academy of Metrology & Quality Inspection, Yinchuan 750200, PR ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China,; Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR ChinaCoumarin derivatives, characterized by the core α-benzopyranone skeleton, constitute one of their most extensive classes of aromatic metabolites. These naturally occurring compounds are widely distributed in various plants and microbial fermentation products. The coumarin derivatives display diverse structural characteristics, and their molecular skeleton can give rise to several complex subclasses. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that coumarins exhibited a broad-spectrum of biological activities. Owing to their diverse structures and potent bioactivities, these compounds have been extensively utilized in the fields of food, fragrances, and medicine. In recent years, a significant number of novel coumarin derivatives have been isolated and elucidated in nature. However, a comprehensive compilation of the corresponding scholarly literature is lacking. To address this gap, our research team recently summarized the newly discovered coumarins from plant sources between 2019 and 2024. As a complementary contribution, this review meticulously summarized the chemical structures and pharmacological activities of these coumarins. Furthermore, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also preliminarily discussed. In total, 156 scholarly articles encompassing 323 naturally occurring coumarin derivatives have been analyzed and documented. Through a detailed analysis and summary of the reported literature, this review lays a solid foundation for in-depth investigation and extensive application of coumarin derivatives.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625005910Coumarin derivativesPharmacological activitiesStructure-activity relationshipReview
spellingShingle Ze-Dong Nan
Tao Liu
Jing Liu
Hui Zhang
Xiao-Yu Zhao
Yan Ge
Chong-Long Li
An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activities
Results in Chemistry
Coumarin derivatives
Pharmacological activities
Structure-activity relationship
Review
title An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activities
title_full An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activities
title_fullStr An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activities
title_full_unstemmed An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activities
title_short An overview of natural coumarins (2016–2018): chemical structures and pharmacological activities
title_sort overview of natural coumarins 2016 2018 chemical structures and pharmacological activities
topic Coumarin derivatives
Pharmacological activities
Structure-activity relationship
Review
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625005910
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