We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Chemistry

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Some Coumarin Derivatives?

By E.A. Sanker
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 14,129
References
Share

Coumarin derivatives are widely used in pharmaceutical and commercial applications due to their health properties. A compound found naturally in plants such as tonka beans, cinnamon, sweet clover, and vanilla grass, coumarin has several chemical derivatives that can be found naturally or synthesized in the laboratory. These include the naturally occurring umbelliferone, as well as the synthetic drugs warfarin and bishydroxycoumarin. Coumarin derivatives have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, but they can also be toxic in high amounts and are sometimes used as rodenticides.

Although coumarin itself does not function as an anticoagulant — a substance that prevents blood clotting — it can be chemically modified through natural or artificial processes to do so. The coumarin molecule is changed through the addition of certain chemical groups into a substance called 4-hydroxycoumarin, which can in turn be transformed into drugs with anticoagulant properties. Several different forms of 4-hydroxycoumarins exist.

The 4-hydroxycoumarin known as bishydroxycoumarin, or dicoumarol, can be formed through natural or artificial methods. When sweet clover interacts with fungi and becomes moldy, it undergoes a chemical change that causes the coumarin in the plant to transform into bishydroxycoumarin. The anticoagulant properties of coumarin derivatives such as dicoumarol were first discovered in 1939 from evidence that cattle in North America that had been fed with sweet clover were suffering from hemorrhaging, or bleeding. Bishydroxycoumarin was later produced synthetically for use as an oral anticoagulant.

Warfarin, a derivative of dicoumarol, is a popular synthetic drug used to prevent blood clots in cases where clot formation might cut off blood supply to an important organ such as the heart or brain. Before its development as an anticoagulant, this drug was commonly used as a rodenticide. Warfarin and other coumarin derivatives function as pesticides by causing uncontrolled hemorrhaging in the target animal.

The anticoagulant activity of coumarin derivatives can be toxic to humans if these compounds are ingested in excessive amounts. Vitamin K is a known antidote in cases where excessive ingestion has occurred. This is because substances such as dicoumarol function by inhibiting the action of Vitamin K in the production of prothrombin, an essential compound in the process of blood clotting. By adding Vitamin K, the anticoagulant action of dicoumarol can be counteracted.

Umbelliferone, unlike warfarin and other synthetic compounds, can be found naturally in certain fruits. It too has medicinal properties, including antioxidant activity. In other words, it can help prevent oxidation, a chemical reaction that may result in the destruction of cells. Umbelliferone is useful medically as an addition to sunscreen and as a starting point for synthesizing anti-cancer drugs.

Share
InfoBloom is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.infobloom.com/what-are-some-coumarin-derivatives.htm
Copy this link
InfoBloom, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

InfoBloom, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.