Insights into the chemistry and therapeutic potential of furanones: A versatile pharmacophore

Furanone, a five-membered heteroaromatic ring containing oxygen atom, is of immense pharmaceutical importance. Presence of this nucleus in biologically active compounds of natural and synthetic origin has made it an indispensable motif for design and development of new therapeutic agents. In recent years synthesis of furanone derivatives and exploring their therapeutic actions has been the prime interest amongst researchers. Furanone containing compounds cover numerous therapeutic categories viz. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory, Anticancer, anticonvulsant, Antibacterial and Antifungal, antioxidant, antiulcer and anti-TB, etc. There is a need to couple recent work done with previously available information on furanone, a well acknowledged scaffold, to help scientists to develop novel and new furanone based therapeutic agents at a faster pace. This updated review highlights the worth of numerous therapeutically active furanone based compounds developed by the medicinal chemists. SAR studies have also been derived which may be useful for rational designing of furanone derivatives with improved therapeutic index.

Biological activity; Butenolide; Cyclooxygenase; Furanone; Lactone; SAR.