Medical implications of benzimidazole derivatives as drugs designed for targeting DNA and DNA associated processes.

Properties of benzimidazole and its derivatives have been studied for over hundred years; special interest of researchers triggered by the fact that 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole is a component of naturally occurring vitamin B(12). Several antihelminthic, antacid and antibacterial drugs are known which have benzimidazole moiety as their essential constituent. Additionally, several bis- and tris-benzimidazole based systems are well-known for their interaction with DNA and interference with several DNA associated processes. This account gives an overview of the benzimidazole based systems and their relevance in medicinal chemistry.