Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Structural insights and therapeutic potential.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their critical role in managing various diseases, including glaucoma, epilepsy, cancer, and other conditions linked to carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoforms. This review highlights the recent advancements in the design and development of CAIs, focusing on diverse chemical classes such as indoles, sulfocoumarins, 1,2,3-triazoles, urea derivatives, chalcones, quinolines, and pyridines. Each class presents unique structural features and mechanisms of action, contributing to the selective inhibition of specific CA isoforms. The ongoing exploration of these compounds has not only enhanced our understanding of CA inhibition but also opened new avenues for therapeutic applications, paving the way for the development of novel drugs that tackle pressing healthcare challenges.