1, 3, 4-OXADIAZOLE NUCLEUS WITH VERSATILE PHARMACOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS: A REVIEW

Oxadiazole is a heterocyclic compound containing an oxygen atom and two nitrogen atoms in a five membered ring. It is derived from furan by substitution of two methylene groups (=CH) with two pyridine type nitrogens (-N=). It is also termed as a lead compound for designing the potent bioactive agents. It has been reported as a surrogate of carboxylic acid and an important synthons in organic chemistry.  It exists in four isomeric forms 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,3-oxadiazole and 1,2,5-oxadiazole. Out of all four isomers of oxadiazole, 1,3,4-Oxadiazole is found to possess variety of chemical and biological applications. 1,3,4-oxadiazole nucleus have been reported a very important nucleus in organic and medicinal chemistry and more widely studied by researchers because of its versatile chemical and biological properties. It has been found to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, cytotoxicity, anticonvulsant, antitumor, tyrosinase enzyme activity, DENV2 inhibitory activity, anti-Trypanosoma cruzi, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitors, analgesic, HIV-1 integrase inhibitors, XDR and MDR tuberculosis, immunosuppressive activity. This review article describes the various biological activities associated with 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring system and is useful in guiding the researchers across the world working on this moiety and consequently have been instrumental in the advancement of 1,3,4-oxadiazole chemistry.