Anti-inflammatory activity of natural coumarin compounds from plants of the Indo-Gangetic plain

Abstract

Natural compounds are a repertoire of organoleptic molecules. This indicates that although they are not a significant source of nutrients, still they exhibit a wide range of medicinal properties through their plethora of anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory activities. Coumarins, found in a variety of plants from different biodiversity regions, also have been reported to be present in many plants of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Here, we would attempt to enumerate the natural coumarin compounds, their pharmaco-therapeutic potential and their occurrence as well as abundance in the flora of the aforesaid biodiversity region. Coumarins, derived their name from the French word “coumarou” for Tonka bean. First isolated in 1820, coumarin still finds its relevance in the study of implementation of natural compounds in treating neuro-degenerative and cancer-like fatal diseases. Naturally occurring benzopyrones, chemically classified as lactones and coumarin compounds need to be reviewed to develop new era drugs from natural resources. This promises an effective treatment regimen with minimal side effects and also paves the path for a sustainable future with efforts to manage our health problems from the plant products in our immediate environment.