Title:Chromenes - A Novel Class of Heterocyclic Compounds: Recent Advancements
and Future Directions
Volume: 22
Issue: 21
Author(s): Anurag Chaudhary*, Kalpana Singh, Nishant Verma, Sachin Kumar, Deepak Kumar and Prince Prashant Sharma
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, NH-58, Baghpat Road
Crossing, Bypass Road, Meerut-250005, India
Keywords:
Chromenes, heterocyclic compounds, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, pharmacological activities.
Abstract: Chromenes are an important class of oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds with intriguing
biological activity, a simple structure with mild adverse effects. Chromenes are abundantly
found in nature in the form of alkaloids, tocopherols, flavone, and anthocyanins. The Chromene nucleus
is an important moiety for the discovery of new drug candidates. Chromene derivatives have
shown various pharmacological activities like antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antitumour,
antimicrobial, antiproliferative, anticholinesterase, EPR-1 (Effector cell Protease Receptor-1) antagonist
and MAO (Mono-Amine Oxidase) inhibitors. In SAR (Structure Activity Relationship) studies
with chromene nucleus, it was found that 4-aryl moiety, 3-cyano group, and 2-amino group are essential
for the cytotoxic activity. Substitution at the 7th position with electron donating group enhances
the pharmacological activity whereas the electron withdrawing group decreases the pharmacological
activity. Structural modifications at the chromene ring, middle aliphatic portion, and terminal aromatic
ring yielded more potential 5-HT1A (5-Hydroxytryptamine 1A) receptor affinity and antidiabetic activity.
Chromenes with cyclic secondary amine and 4-hydroxy phenyl substituents yielded potent antimicrobial
compounds. This review summarizes the importance of chromenes in rational drug design
and the development of novel molecules with a variety of pharmacological activities.