An Overview of Quinolones as Potential Drugs: Synthesis, Reactivity and Biological Activities

Quinolones represent one of the largest classes of synthetic antibiotics used in both human and veterinary medicine. Since the discovery of nalidixic acid, a substantial body of research has been carried out on quinolones, resulting in the synthesis of several quinolone derivatives with exceptional pharmacology. In addition to their antibacterial action, quinolones have a broad spectrum of diverse biological activities. In this regard, the present review examines the literature of recent years describing synthesis protocols, reactivity and biological properties, with particular emphasis on the antibacterial, antimalarial, antitrypanosomal, antileishmanial, antiviral and anticancer activities of this famous class of molecules. Finally, this review highlights the potential of quinolones as preferred pharmacophores in medicinal chemistry. The aim is to highlight the innovative aspects of the rational design of new therapeutic agents with this structural motif, in the face of emerging antibiotic resistance and the urgent need for new active molecules.