Biological activity of coumarin derivatives – a review

Abstract

Coumarin derivatives are wide spread in nature and found in many plants, fruits and vegetables. They show a broad spectrum of biological activities, but the use of coumarin is restricted by law and its maximal allowed concentration in foodstuff is determined by state regulations. As a model for investigation of coumarin toxicity rats have often been used, but some recent investigations indicate that the coumarin metabolism and therefore coumarin toxicity, are much different in humans and rats. This paper sums up coumarin biological properties as well as specificity of coumarin metabolism in rats and humans.