Umbelliferone: Sources, chemistry and bioactivities review

Umbelliferone is a 7-hydroxycoumarin that is a pharmacologically active agent. It is widely distributed within the Rutaceae and Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) families and is efficiently extracted using methanol. Umbelliferone is a fluorescing compound used as a sunscreen agent. It is synthesized using the Pechmann condensation reaction of resorcinol and formyl acetic acid. Biosynthetically it is synthesized using the phenylpropanoid pathway. Umbelliferone is a synthon for other coumarins and heterocycles with improved biological activities. In the Literature modest antibacterial and antifungal activities are reported with MIC values of 500–1000μg/mL, but exhibited good E. coli anti-biofilm formation. Umbelliferone shows good inhibitions of DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide anion and ABTS radicals. Other reported activities are anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycaemic, molluscicidal and anti-tumor activities.