Xanthine: Synthetic Strategy And Biological Activity

Xanthine and its derivatives belong to the class of purine alkaloids. They are natural bases holding nitrogen atoms within the molecular structure, and they have an effective pharmacological alteration in both animals and human beings. Substituted xanthine, theophylline/caffeine being prototype, is one of the derivatives which have shown prominent binding to adenosine receptors as agonist or antagonist. Various mechanistic approaches are involved in exerting bronchospasmolytic, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, MAO modulatory, along cardiac effects. Mostly, xanthine derivatives reduce inflammation and bronchospasm in asthmatic conditions. Other therapeutics effects are in the management of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, vasoconstriction, and also possess excellent central nervous system-penetration ability; thus, they can also be used as stimulants and anti-depressants. Their actions are relatively very weak, but their pharmacological effects are also associated with snarl-up adenosine-mediated functions. An assortment of the biological profile of the xanthine scaffold attracted many research groups over the years to explore this nucleus vividly. The present review is aimed to cover every aspect of the xanthine moiety reported in the earlier years. This review covers all the major biological roles and various synthetic strategies adopted to synthesize xanthine moiety and its derivatives.