Recent synthetic strategies using MCRs for the discovery of pharmacologically active compounds

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have become indispensable in medicinal chemistry, offering an efficient and versatile approach to rapidly assemble structurally diverse and biologically active molecules. This review highlights key advancements in MCRs over the past decade, with a focus on their application in the synthesis of therapeutic compounds exhibiting antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-Alzheimer. Emphasis is placed on the construction of heterocyclic frameworks, peptoid hybrids, and multifunctional scaffolds through Ugi, Passerini, Biginelli, Hantzsch, and other prominent MCR strategies. The integration of in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation with computational techniques such as molecular docking and dynamics simulations has further accelerated lead identification and optimization. By bridging synthetic efficiency with pharmacological relevance, MCRs continue to play a vital role in modern drug discovery, offering innovative solutions to address emerging therapeutic challenges.