Substituted Benzofurans as Potent Anticancer Agents: Advances, Molecular Docking, and SAR Studies

Benzofuran, an oxygen-containing fused heterocyclic aromatic compound, occurs naturally as a secondary metabolite from various plant sources like Rutaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, and Liliaceae. The derivatives of benzofuran possess a wide range of biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibiotic, analgesic, anti-Alzheimer's, and immunosuppressive effects. Various synthetic methods are currently used to prepare various benzofuran derivatives. Its therapeutic significance is highlighted by the presence of the benzofuran core in several FDA-approved drugs. Due to the development of resistance in existing anticancer therapies, there is an urgent need for novel, effective, and safe therapeutic approaches. Many heterocyclic moieties and their structural hybrids have been explored for their potential biological activity and have attracted considerable attention as anticancer agents. Substituted benzofuran derivatives are emerging as lead candidates to meet the global challenges of cancer and its available treatment. Benzofuran has the chemical formula C8H6O. Structurally, it consists of a fused ring system: a benzene ring fused to a five-membered furan ring (with one oxygen). Both benzene and furan contribute to its aromatic character. Benzofuran heterocycle plays an important role in drug design and drug discovery due to its versatile nature. The current review summarizes the recent progress in the design, development, drug discovery, and pharmacological actions of benzofuran derivatives as anticancer agents; their molecular docking studies; and structure-activity relationships reported over the past five to six years, emphasizing fused heterocyclic analogues and their prospects to develop as lead molecules. A thorough understanding of the structure-activity relationship will provide a valuable framework for novel drug discovery and design.