Oxygen- and Sulphur-Containing Heterocyclic Compounds as Potential Anticancer Agents

Oxygen- and sulphur-based heterocycles form the core structure of many biologically active molecules as well as U.S. FDA-approved drugs. Moreover, they possess broad range of biological activities, viz. anticancer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, anti-tubercular, analgesic, anti-leishmanial, antimalarial, antifungal, and anti-histaminic, Hence, O- and S-based heterocycles are gaining more attention in recent years on the road to the discovery of innovative anticancer drugs after the extensive investigation of nitrogen-based heterocycles as anticancer agents. Several attempts have been made to synthesize fused oxygen- and sulphur-based heterocyclic derivatives as joining one heterocyclic moiety with another may lead to improvement in the biological profile of a molecule. Humans have been cursed with cancer since long time. Despite the development of several heterocyclic anticancer medications such as 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, methotrexate, and daunorubicin, cure of cancer is difficult. Hence, researchers are trying to synthesize new fused/spiro heterocyclic molecules to discover novel anticancer drugs which may show promising anticancer effects with fewer side effects. Furthermore, fused heterocycles behave as DNA intercalating agents which have the ability to interact with DNA, leading to cell death thereby exerting anticancer effect. This review article highlights the synthesis and anticancer potentiality of oxygen- and sulphur-containing heterocyclic compounds covering the period from 2011 to 2021.