Background: Sulfur-containing compounds represent an important class of chemical compounds due to their wide range of biological and pharmaceutical properties. Moreover, sulfur-containing compounds may be applied in other fields, such as biological, organic, and materials chemistry. Several studies on the activities of sulfur compounds have already proven their anti-inflammatory properties and use to treat diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and HIV. Moreover, examples of sulfur-containing compounds include dapsone, quetiapine, penicillin, probucol, and nelfinavir, which are important drugs with known activities. Objective: This review will focus on the synthesis and application of some sulfur-containing compounds used to treat several diseases, as well as promising new drug candidates. Results: Due to the variety of compounds containing C-S bonds, we have reviewed the different synthetic routes used toward the synthesis of sulfur-containing drugs and other compounds.

An elegant, mild and straightforward methodology was explored for the first time towards the synthesis of polyfunctionalized pyrroles using β-cyclodextrin as a reusable supramolecular catalyst in aqueous medium.

Benzimidazoles/benzothiazoles were synthesized in water under neutral conditions by the reaction of aromatic aldehydes, o-phenylenediamine/2-amino thiophenol mediated by β-cyclodextrin in high yields. β-Cyclodextrin can be recovered and reused without significant loss of activity.

Natural products are important sources of biomolecules possessing antitumor activity and can be used as anticancer drug prototypes. The rich biodiversity of tropical and subtropical regions of the world provides considerable bioprospecting potential, including the potential of propolis produced by stingless bee species. Investigations of the potential of these products are extremely important, not only for providing a scientific basis for their use as adjuvants for existing drug therapies but also as a source of new and potent anticancer drugs. In this context, this article organizes the main studies describing the anticancer potential of propolis from different species of stingless bees with an emphasis on the chemical compounds, mechanisms of action, and cell death profiles. These mechanisms include apoptotic events; modulation of BAX, BAD, BCL2‐L1 (BCL‐2 like 1), and BCL‐2; depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane; increased caspase‐3 activity; poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage; and cell death induction by necroptosis via receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) activation. Additionally, the correlation between compounds with antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory potential is demonstrated that help in the prevention of cancer development. In summary, we highlight the important antitumor potential of propolis from stingless bees, but further preclinical and clinical trials are needed to explore the selectivity, efficacy, and safety of propolis.