What is coumarin used for?

Coumarins are bioactive substances that have many different properties and have many uses, especially in regard to human health and medicine. Coumarin has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, anticoagulant, and antihyperglycemic properties. In addition to all these uses, they also are used for antioxidant and neuroprotective purposes. 

Coumarins are useful for treating certain types of cancers such as prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and leukemia. Coumarins also have the ability to subdue the side effects of radiotherapy. Warfarin (a coumarin), is used to inhibit formation of blood clots. It prevents clotting from atrial fibrillation, and both major and mini strokes.

Additional uses of coumarin outside of medicine include being used as laser dyes that emit blue-green light. Common laser dyes include coumarins 480, 490, 504, and 521. Synthetic coumarin is also able to be used as rodenticide, as it has high potency. Plants also use coumarin as a defense against predators. Lastly, coumarin is used in certain cosmetic products like perfumes, providing it with a vanilla aroma.