coumarin

Coumarin is a naturally occurring aromatic organic compound found in many plants. It is a colorless crystalline solid with a sweet odor reminiscent of vanilla and a bitter taste. Coumarin itself is not used as an anticoagulant drug in clinical practice but serves as the chemical backbone for several important pharmaceuticals, most notably the vitamin K antagonist class of anticoagulants (such as warfarin). These derivatives act by inhibiting vitamin K epoxide reductase, thereby blocking the regeneration and recycling of vitamin K and reducing synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. Coumarins also exhibit diverse biological activities including anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effects and more. In addition to pharmaceutical uses (primarily as precursors), coumarins are widely used in perfumes and flavorings[3][4][6].

Other names

1,2-benzopyrone2H-chromen-2-one