Natural and Synthetic Coumarins and their Pharmacological Activity

Coumarins are a structurally diverse group of natural substances derives from plants that display a host of bioactivities. In this paper, we will introduce the reader to coumarins and their applications as medicinal substances. The great diversity in courmarin structure will be discussed along with their extensive use as pharmaceutical agents. Coumarins display a wide range of antimicrobial activity and applications of coumarins as antifungal and antiviral agents will be addressed. Other properties of coumarins such as their role in neuroprotection, anticancer, and as antioxidants will also be reviewed.