In search of uracil derivatives as bioactive agents. Uracils and fused uracils: Synthesis, biological activity and applications

This review article is an effort to summarize recent developments in researches providing uracil derivatives with promising biological potential. This article also aims to discuss potential future directions on the development of more potent and specific uracil analogues for various biological targets. Uracils are considered as privileged structures in drug discovery with a wide array of biological activities and synthetic accessibility. Antiviral and anti-tumour are the two most widely reported activities of uracil analogues however they also possess herbicidal, insecticidal and bactericidal activities. Their antiviral potential is based on the inhibition of key step in viral replication pathway resulting in potent activities against HIV, hepatitis B and C, the herpes viruses etc. Uracil derivatives such as 5-fluorouracil or 5-chlorouracil were the first pharmacological active derivatives to be generated. Poor selectivity limits its therapeutic application, resulting in high incidences of gastrointestinal tract or central nervous toxicity. Numerous modifications of uracil structure have been performed to tackle these problems resulting in the development of derivatives exhibiting better pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties including increased bioactivity, selectivity, metabolic stability, absorption and lower toxicity. Researches of new uracils and fused uracil derivatives as bioactive agents are related with modifications of substituents at N1, N3, C5 and C6 positions of pyrimidine ring. This review is an endeavour to highlight the progress in the chemistry and biological activity of the uracils, predominately after the year 2000. In particular are presented synthetic methods and biological study for such analogues as: 5-fluorouracil or 5-chlorouracil derivatives, tegafur analogues, arabinopyranonucleosides of uracil, glucopyranonucleosides of uracil, liposidomycins, caprazamycins or tunicamycins, tritylated uridine analogues, nitro or cyano derivatives of uracil, uracil-quinazolinone, uracil-indole or uracil-isatin-conjugates, pyrimidinophanes containing one or two uracil units and nitrogen atoms in bridging polymethylene chains etc. In this review is also discussed synthesis and biological activity of fused uracils having uracil ring annulated with other heterocyclic ring. [Display omitted] •New derivatives of uracil with potential biological activity are described.•Recent progress in synthesis of uracils and fused uracils is highlighted.•Syn