N-Acylhydrazones: applications and advances in drug discovery

N -Acylhydrazones (NAHs) represent a structurally versatile and pharmacologically active class of compounds widely explored over last two decades in medicinal chemistry. Characterized by the presence of both hydrazide and imine functionalities, NAHs exhibit a rich spectrum of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitubercular, antiprotozoal, anticancer, and antiviral effects, as showed by a number of approved drugs (nitrofurazone, nitrofurantoin, carbazochrome, nifuroxazide, dantrolene, and azumolene) containing the NAH framework. Although discussion about toxicity, and efficacy of NAH-based drugs, several derivatives have been developed as a strategy to overcome failure and resistance in drug discovery. Indeed, in the NAH derivatives key physicochemical properties (lipophilicity/solubility, hydrogen-bonding property, and geometric or conformational isomerism) can easy modulated, to enhance their ability to generate bioactive small-molecules. In this review, by considering the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, we would provide a comprehensive current landscape of the therapeutic potential in drug-design and the state of the art of NAH progresses in pharmaceutical research.