1, 4-Dihydropyridines: A Class of Pharmacologically Important Molecules

The 1, 4-dihydropyridines (DHPs), a class of drugs possess a wide variety of biological and pharmacological actions. It represents one of the most important groups of calcium-channel modulating agents and has experienced widespread use in the treatment of cardiovascular disease which includes antihypertensive, antianginal, vasodilator and cardiac depressants activities. It also shows antibacterial, anticancer, antileishmanial, anticoagulant, anticonvulsant, antitubercular, antioxidant, antiulcer, CFTR, antimalarials, neuroprotection properties, HIV-1 protease inhibitors, antifertility activities and many more. There are many drugs available in market which contains 1, 4-dihydropyridines ring as basic scaffold. Basic motive of this review is to disclose various therapeutic applications of 1, 4-dihydropyridine derivatives reported by other researchers during their research work in 2001 to 2011. Keywords: Antihypertensive, biological and pharmacological action, calcium channel modulating agents, cardiovascular disease, 1, 4-dihydropyridine, therapeutic application.