Research progress in biological activities of isochroman derivatives

Isochromans are well recognized heterocyclic compounds in drug discovery which produce diverse therapeutically related applications in pharmacological practices. Medicinal chemistry investigators have synthesized drug-like isochroman candidates with multiple medicinal features including central nervous system (CNS), antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antitumor and anti-inflammatory agents. Simultaneously, SAR (Structure-Activity Relationship) analysis has drawn attentions among medicinal chemists, along with a great deal of derivatives have been derived for potential targets. In this article, we thoroughly summarize the biological activities and part of typical SAR for isochroman derivatives reported on existing literatures and patents, wishing to provide an overall retrospect and prospect on the isochroman analogues.