Coumarins from Rutaceae: Chemical diversity and biological activities

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• The Rutaceae family comprises around 2100 species, many used in traditional medicine.
• Rutaceae is a significant source of bioactive compounds, notably coumarins, with documented therapeutic effects.
• Existing literature lacks a comprehensive overview of Rutaceae coumarins' full potential and chemical relationships across genera.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compile studies on coumarin isolation from Rutaceae between 2010 and 2022.
• To outline the known pharmacological activities of these coumarins.
• To statistically analyze chemical similarities among coumarins from different Rutaceae genera.

Main Methods:

• Literature search for Rutaceae coumarin studies from 2010-2022.
• Compilation and summarization of isolation data and reported pharmacological activities.
• Statistical analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) for chemical similarity.

Main Results:

• Over 655 coumarins have been identified in Rutaceae species in the last twelve years.
• These coumarins exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
• PCA and HCA revealed distinct chemical patterns and similarities among coumarins from various Rutaceae genera.

Conclusions:

• Rutaceae coumarins are versatile bioactive molecules with significant therapeutic potential.
• This review provides a consolidated resource on Rutaceae coumarins, their activities, and chemical diversity.
• Further research into these compounds could lead to novel drug development.