esculetin

Esculetin is a naturally occurring hydroxycoumarin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) found in several plants including chicory (*Cichorium intybus*), *Bougainvillea spectabilis*, *Artemisia capillaris*, among others. It is a small aromatic molecule with a benzene ring fused to a lactone, notable for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antifungal, antidiabetic, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, and antimicrobial properties[2][3][5][6][7][8]. Its mechanism of action involves inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and key enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), lipoxygenases (5-, 12-LO), and signaling pathways like NF-κB and Akt[1][6]. Esculetin's pharmacological activities are being investigated for diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and hepatic disorders[1][3][5]. It is not an approved pharmaceutical drug but is widely researched for therapeutic applications[3][7].

Other names

6,7-dihydroxycoumarinaesculetincichorigeninesculetolesculatinasculetinecichoriin agluconesculin aglucon6,7-dihydroxy-2-benzopyrone