Acridine: A Versatile Scaffold in Medicinal Chemistry (Review article)

Abstract

Acridine, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound, has long been recognized as a versatile scaffold in medicinal chemistry owing to its unique planar structure and ability to intercalate DNA. This review highlights the significant pharmacological applications of acridine derivatives, with a primary focus on their therapeutic potential rather than synthetic methodologies. Acridine based compounds exhibit diverse biological activities, including anticancer, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and neuroprotective effects. Notably, several acridine derivatives such as amsacrine, quinacrine, and tacrine have been clinically employed, demonstrating the scaffold’s drug-like properties. The emergence of acridine hybrids has further enhanced therapeutic efficacy by enabling multifunctional targeting and overcoming drug resistance. However, challenges such as toxicity, mutagenicity, and pharmacokinetic limitations remain critical hurdles. Advances in targeted drug delivery, rational drug design, and ADMET profiling provide promising strategies to mitigate these issues. Future research integrating acridine chemistry with nanotechnology, epigenetic modulation, and personalized medicine holds great promise for developing novel and effective therapeutics. Overall, acridine continues to be a “magical molecule” in drug discovery, offering a rich template for innovative medicinal agents.