ABSTRACT

Coumarins are a class of compounds belonging to the benzopyrone family, consisting of a pyrone ring fused to a benzene ring. Benzopyrones are broadly divided into two categories: benzo-?-pyrones, which include coumarins, and benzo-?-pyrones, which primarily encompass flavonoids. In nature, the three most commonly occurring coumarins are scopoletin, esculetin, and umbelliferone. Their biosynthesis involves precursor compounds such as p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, which undergo a key transformation known as ortho-hydroxylation. Coumarins possess notable medicinal properties, making them valuable scaffolds for structural modification and drug development. They exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects, which has generated significant interest in exploring their therapeutic potential. Keywords: Coumarins, Benzopyrones, Benzo-?-pyrones, Umbelliferone, Biosynthesis, Pharmacological properties, Antitumor activity, Bacteriostatic agents
Publication date: 01/09/2026

https://www.ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/September/MS_IJBPAS_2026_10446.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.9.10446