Imidazoles in medicine: a review of its pharmacological and therapeutic applications

Imidazole and its derivatives constitute a versatile class of heterocyclic compounds with wide-ranging pharmacological and therapeutic potential. This review highlights their biological significance, emphasizing key activities such as anti-cancer, anti-mycobacterial, anti-hypertensive, anti-thrombin, kinase inhibition, anti-diarrheal, and anti-platelet effects. Clinically approved drugs containing the imidazole moiety such as Nirogacestat, Pretomanid, Eprosartan, Dabigatran etexilate, Acalabrutinib, Eluxadoline, and Cangrelor are discussed concerning their mechanisms of action, synthesis pathways, and therapeutic roles. Despite their broad potential, variations in structure, safety concerns, and regulatory challenges remain critical considerations. This review underscores the imidazole scaffold’s pharmacological significance and its expanding prospects in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry.