Applied Chemical Engineering

A review of the past decade of Azlactones: Synthesis, Reactions, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical applications

Mohammed R. Mohammed

Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Ninevah University, Mosul, 42001, Iraq

Zubaida khaddar Elias

Department of Laser Spectroscopy, Laser and photonics Center, University of AL-Hamdaniya, Mosul, 42001, Iraq

Shakir Mahmood Saied

College of Pharmacy, Al-Noor University, Mosul, 42001, Iraq

Mohanad Y. Saleh

Department of Chemistry, College of Education for Pure Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, 42001, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i1.5852

Keywords: anticancer agents; antifungal agents; azlactones synthesis and ring-opening; DNA interaction, green synthesis; oxazolones; spiro-azlactones; tubulin inhibition

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Abstract

Azlactones (2,4-disubstituted oxazol-5-ones) are pivotal building blocks in pharmaceutical design due to their dual electrophilic-nucleophilic reactivity and structural plasticity. Their strained ring system enables diverse ring-opening pathways, facilitating rapid construction of peptidomimetics and bioactive conjugates. Recent studies demonstrate potent antibacterial and antifungal properties such as pyridinyl-functionalized azlactones exhibit efficacy against MRSA (MIC = 0.78 µg/mL), while azlactone-triazole hybrids inhibit Candida auris (MIC = 1.56 µg/mL) and Aspergillus fumigatus via ergosterol synthesis disruption. Additionally, spiro-azlactones show anticancer potential against MCF-7 and A549 cell lines through DNA interaction, tubulin polymerization inhibition, and cell cycle disruption. The spirocyclic structure enhances selectivity, target affinity, and metabolic stability.

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