Novobiocin is a coumarin-derived antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces niveus. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, an EC 5.99.1.3 [DNA topoisomerase (ATP-hydrolysing)] inhibitor, an antimicrobial agent, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a hepatoprotective agent. It is a hexoside, a monocarboxylic acid amide, a monosaccharide derivative, a hydroxycoumarin, an ether, a carbamate ester and a member of phenols. It is a conjugate acid of a novobiocin(1-).