Synthesis and antitumor activities of structure-related small molecular compounds of gambogic acid

Through simplifying the complicated skeleton of the natural product gambogic acid, two series derivatives of chromone and xanthone were synthesized and examined for their antitumor activities against several cancer cells in vitro by MTT method. The results showed that appropriate introduction of prenyl group to the small molecular compounds could elevate their antitumor activities. The structure–activities relationship of synthesized compounds certified that the bridgecore in gambogic acid was very important for keeping its antitumor activities.