Abstract
Thiazolidinediones are sulfur containing pentacyclic compounds that are widely found throughout nature in various forms. Thiazolidinedione nucleus is present in numerous biological compounds, e.g., anti-malarial, antimicrobial, anti-mycobacterium, anticonvulsant, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and antitubercular agent. However, owing to the swift development of new molecules containing this nucleus, many research reports have been generated in a brief span of time. Therefore seems to be a requirement to collect recent information in order to understand the current status of the thiazolidinedione nucleus in medicinal chemistry research, focusing in particular on the numerous attempts to synthesize and investigate new structural prototypes with more effective antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antitubercular activity.