VERSATILITY OF BENZIMIDAZOLE AND ITS DERIVATIVES; AN INSIGHT

Benzimidazole, a fused heterocyclic moiety containing benzene and imidazole, has gained considerable attention in the field of medicinal chemistry due to its wide array of pharmacological activities. Be it as a antifungal, anticancer agent, proton pump inhibitors, anthelmintic, anti-microbial, analgesic, it has become an intrinsic part of the pharmaceutical world. The presence of Nitrogen in its heterocyclic ring has made it a more biologically active pharmaceutical agent. The fact that benzimidazole residue is a constituent of vitamin B12 supports its potential use in therapeutics. Benzimidazole derivatives are the structural isosters of naturally occurring nucleotides such as purine, allow them to interact effectively with the biopolymers of the living system such as proteins, enzymes, and receptors. Benzimidazoles exhibit significant activity as a potential anti-tumour agent, smooth muscle cell proliferation inhibitors, a treatment for intestinal cystitis, and in a diverse area of medicinal chemistry. The synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives remains as the main focus of medicinal research. This current review covers the chemistry and significance of benzimidazole and its derivatives, also helps to develop the derivatives of benzimidazole in this antimicrobial-resistant era.