Recent progress in synthesis and bioactivity studies of indolizines

The present review describes the recent progress in synthetic approaches to construct indolizine framework (including partially or wholly reduced ring) and the design of such compounds with potential biological activity. The methods of synthesis are classified as the Tschitschibabin reaction, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, cyclisation reactions depending on the position of bond formation, and other methods. The biological activities include antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anticonvulsant activity, enzymes inhibition activity and activity as calcium entry blocker. Consequently this review emphasizes the significant development in synthetic methods of indolizines during the current decade, and the importance of indolizines in drug discovery. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.