title: Aurones: interesting natural and synthetic compounds with emerging biological potential.
abstract: Aurones [2-benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-ones] are either natural or synthetic compounds, belonging to the flavonoid family. They are isomeric to flavones and provide a bright yellow color to the plants in which they occur. Today, a literature survey indicates that the related flavonoids have been studied not only for their physiological properties and effects on Nature, but also for their therapeutic potential. Aurones are recently attracting the interest of an increasing number of research groups, and, since the last review, some interesting advances have been made in understanding the aurones. In this review, we report the recent advances made on the synthetic routes towards aurones. We also highlight their activity in different biological areas, as well as applied genetic plant modifications to produce these colored compounds. Their synthesis, structure-activity relationships and the importance of the substitution pattern will also be mentioned. Finally, some aspects regarding the possible development of aurones will be discussed briefly.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Ingenierie Moléculaire et Biochimie Pharmacologique, Institut Jean Barriol, Université Paul Verlaine-Metz, 1 Boulevard Arago, 57070 Metz, France.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zwergel
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gaascht
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diederich
authors.forename: Denyse
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bagrel
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kirsch
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000032:analysis; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000032:analysis; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001593:Benzyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001572:Benzofurans; D001593:Benzyl Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C486837:aurone