Chapter 6 - Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Abstract

Coumarin derivatives that are prominent for anti-inflammatory activity were studied to illustrate the anti-inflammatory activity by the influence of the various substituents at specific positions on the coumarin ring. The presence of the benzyl group at the C3 position of the coumarin ring was found to be effective for anti-inflammatory activity, and the substitution of fluorine, acetamido, or ethyl uriedo groups on the benzyl ring were also effective. At the C4 position, methyl groups and pyrimidine rings, substituted either by amine or hydroxyl groups, are prominent for the activity. At the C5 position, the presence of fluorine atoms was significant, whereas at the C6 position, the methoxy group or halogen and at the C7 position the group linkage were effective. Disubstitution of small ether groups at C6 and C7 positions with methyl groups at the C4 position exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity. Furanocoumarin attached with either epoxy group enclosing oxypeucedanin or oxyisopentenyl residue were also important for possessing good to excellent anti-inflammatory activity.