Synthesis and characterization of novel PUFA esters exhibiting potential anticancer activities: An in vitro study

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been reported to play a regulatory role in tumour growth progression. In the present study, we have synthesized ester derivatives of two important PUFA viz., linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) with propofol, a widely used general anaesthetic-sedative agent. The novel propofol ester analogues have been found to inhibit various cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the compounds have been found to induce apoptotic cell death by enhancing the release of cytochrome c and expression of caspase-3. The data of the present study suggest that novel propofol–PUFA esters have strong potential to emerge as effective anticancer agents.

Propofol–PUFA analogues were synthesized as an ester derivative. Novel compounds were found to possess potent anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines thus emerging as an effective anticancer agent.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Synthesis and characterization of four novel propofol–PUFA esters.
► Assessment of anticancer potential of synthesized esters against cancer cell lines.
► The novel PUFA esters induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
► Esterification of PUFA with propofol enhances anticancer potential of the former.