Coumarin Derivatives and Oxidative Stress

Coumarins, an old class of natural and synthetic benzopyrene derivatives, attract an intense interest because of their diverse pharmacological use. The biochemical properties and therapeutic applications of simple coumarins strongly depend upon the molecular structure of these compounds. Recently their antioxidant effects were extensively examined in connection with possibilities for control over the oxidative stress. Latter is being implicated in many diseases curable by therapy with coumarin-containing drugs. In this review, experimental data for antioxidant properties of coumarins are presented. It was observed that different coumarins may act as antioxidants by scavenging free radicals, by acting as enzymes modulators and by bonding free metal cations in helate complexes. The antioxidant activities are discussed in relation with their molecular structure.