Therapeutic Potential of Isoxazole–(Iso)oxazole Hybrids: Three Decades of Research
Urszula Bąchor, Marcin Mą̨czyński, Aleksandra Sochacka-Ćwikła
Abstract
Heterocyclic compounds are a common subject in the field of medicinal chemistry due to their numerous pharmaceutical applications. Among these, nitrogen- and oxygen-containing five-membered heterocyclic rings, namely oxazole and isoxazole, are particularly significant, exhibiting a broad spectrum of biological activities. Molecular hybridization, the process that enables the fusion of bioactive scaffolds, is a powerful strategy for the development of novel compounds characterized by enhanced or multitarget activities. This review focuses on hybrids incorporating linked oxazole and/or isoxazole moieties (i.e., isoxazole-oxazole and isoxazole-isoxazole hybrids), drawing upon peer-reviewed research articles and international patents from 1995 to the end of 2024. The overview systematically presents the diverse biological activities reported for the isoxazole-(iso)oxazole hybrids, including anticancer, antibacterial, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects, alongside their corresponding chemical structures. Our analysis of the literature highlights the structural versatility and therapeutic potential of this important class of heterocyclic hybrids.