Search for Topics:
Title/Keyword
Journal
Submission Status
Category
 
 
Topics
Natural Coumarin and Metal Complexes: Pharmacological Properties and Potential Applications
Propose a Topic

Topic Menu

► Topic Menu

Topic Editors

Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijića bb, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
Department of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijića bb, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
share announcement

Natural Coumarin and Metal Complexes: Pharmacological Properties and Potential Applications

Abstract submission deadline
closed (30 November 2025)
Manuscript submission deadline
closed (31 January 2026)
Viewed by
3145

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Coumarin derivatives, a class of compounds derived from natural sources, hold significant importance in modern science due to their diverse range of biological activities and potential applications. These derivatives exhibit various pharmacological properties, including anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. Moreover, their structural versatility makes them valuable in drug design and development. Investigating coumarin derivatives offers a promising avenue for the discovery of new therapeutic agents with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects. Their exploration contributes extensively to the advancement of medicinal chemistry, offering novel compounds that could potentially address unmet medical needs and improve human health. This topic welcomes original and review articles to be published in the selected MDPI journals concerning the synthesis and structural analysis of newly obtained and known coumarin derivatives and their transition metal complexes. Biological activities, such as cytotoxicity, antioxidant and protein/DNA binding affinities, should be included, if applicable. In addition, articles containing quantum-chemical analysis and molecular docking/dynamics simulations to support available spectral and reactivity features are highly encouraged. Notably, understanding the effects of substituents on structural characteristics, reactivity, and biological activity remains a key emphasis.

Dr. Dušan Dimić
Dr. Edina Avdović
Dr. Dejan Milenković
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • coumarin derivatives
  • density functional theory
  • protein binding
  • cytotoxicity
  • antioxidant activity
  • molecular dynamics
  • human serum albumin
  • natural bond orbital theory

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Chemistry
chemistry 		2.4 4.4 2019 15 Days CHF 1800
Inorganics
inorganics 		3.0 5.3 2013 14.9 Days CHF 2200
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
ijms 		4.9 10.0 2000 17.8 Days CHF 2900
Pharmaceuticals
pharmaceuticals 		4.8 9.0 2004 16 Days CHF 2900

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

  1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
  2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
  3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
  4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
  5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Journals
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
16 pages, 13500 KB  
Article
Esculetin Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis to Prevent AKI-to-CKD Transition in Adenine-Induced Renal Injury by Inhibiting the EGFR/SRC/PI3K/AKT/NF-κB Signaling Axis
by Jianglong Chen, Bin Xia, Rujie Zhou, Yunfei Cui, Yu Zhu, Meijia Chen, Jinhua Su, Jinhui Wang and Guang Li
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(4), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19040578 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 597
Abstract
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by irreversible structural damage and functional deterioration of the kidneys. Esculetin (ES), with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities, shows potential in delaying renal function decline. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of ES [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by irreversible structural damage and functional deterioration of the kidneys. Esculetin (ES), with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities, shows potential in delaying renal function decline. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of ES on adenine-induced CKD in mice and its underlying molecular mechanism, with a focus on its role in preventing the transition from acute kidney injury (AKI) to CKD. Methods: A AKI-to-CKD transition mice model was established by feeding mice a 0.2% adenine diet, and ES (30, 60 mg/kg) was co-administered for 4 weeks as a prophylactic intervention. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and renal histopathology (HE, Masson, IHC) were evaluated to assess renal injury. Network pharmacology and transcriptomics were combined to screen the targets, and Western blot was used to verify the signaling pathways. Results: ES significantly reduced SCr and BUN levels in CKD mice and alleviated renal tubular dilation and inflammatory infiltration. ES decreased pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and MDA levels and enhanced SOD activity. Additionally, ES inhibited renal interstitial collagen deposition and reversed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating E-cadherin and downregulating α-SMA levels. Mechanism studies confirmed that ES significantly inhibited the phosphorylation levels of p-EGFR, p-SRC, p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-p65 in renal tissues. Conclusions: ES effectively inhibits inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis by modulating the EGFR/SRC/PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling axis, thereby preventing the AKI-to-CKD transition in the adenine-induced renal injury model and alleviating the progression of chronic renal damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Natural Coumarin and Metal Complexes: Pharmacological Properties and Potential Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-1
Back to TopTop