Naturally Occurring Coumarins as Promising Antimicrobial Agents: Latest Progress

Area of Science:

• Natural product chemistry
• Medicinal chemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Microbial diseases pose a significant global health threat, exacerbated by rising antimicrobial resistance due to antibiotic overuse.
• Multidrug-resistant and highly virulent pathogens are emerging, rendering many conventional antibiotics ineffective.
• Natural products (NPs) are increasingly explored as alternatives to synthetic antimicrobials due to acquired resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recently identified natural coumarins and their diverse pharmacological activities.
• To evaluate the potential of coumarins in combating microbial infections, including their mechanisms of action.
• To discuss coumarin-based patents and market exclusivity for potential therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of natural coumarins and their reported antimicrobial activities.
• Analysis of coumarins' mechanisms against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
• Examination of coumarins' roles as efflux pump inhibitors and biofilm inhibitors.

Main Results:

• Natural coumarins exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, and antiparasitic activities.
• Coumarins act through distinct pathways, offering a strategy to overcome existing antibiotic resistance.
• These compounds demonstrate potential as efflux pump inhibitors and biofilm inhibitors, crucial for combating resistant microbes.

Conclusions:

• Natural coumarins represent promising therapeutic agents for treating microbial infections, particularly those caused by resistant pathogens.
• Their unique mechanisms of action provide a valuable alternative to conventional antibiotics.
• Further research and development of coumarin-based formulations could lead to novel treatments for infectious diseases.