Acylhydrazone Derivatives: An Overview of Biological Activities

The N-acylhydrazone scaffold has emerged as a versatile pharmacophore in medicinal chemistry due to its ease of synthesis, structural flexibility, and broad-spectrum biological activity. This mini-review highlights recent advances in acylhydrazone-based therapeutics, with a focus on anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory applications. Key developments include Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) insights, hybrid molecule strategies, metal complexation, and stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems. Notably, acylhydrazone derivatives exhibit potent bioactivity, particularly against multidrug-resistant pathogens and aggressive cancer phenotypes, while offering enhanced target selectivity. Continued optimization and in vivo validation are essential to advance these compounds toward clinical application.