Antitumor agents 251: Synthesis, cytotoxic evaluation, and structure–activity relationship studies of phenanthrene-based tylophorine derivatives (PBTs) as a new class of antitumor agents

Polar phenanthrene-based tylophorine derivatives (PBTs) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential antitumor agents. These compounds contain a core phenanthrene structure and can be synthesized efficiently in excellent yield. The newly synthesized PBTs were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against the A549 human cancer cell line. Among them, N-(2,3-methylenedioxy-6-methoxy-phenanthr-9-ylmethyl)-l-2-piperidinemethanol (34) and N-(2,3-methylenedioxy-6-methoxy-phenanthr-9-ylmethyl)-5-aminopentanol (28) showed the highest potency with IC50 values of 0.16 and 0.27 μM, respectively, which are comparable to those of currently used antitumor drugs. A structure–activity relationship (SAR) study was also explored to facilitate the further development of this new compound class.

In a series of polar phenanthrene-based tylophorine derivatives (PBTs), N-(2,3-methylenedioxy-6-methoxy-phenanthr-9-ylmethyl)-l-2-piperidinemethanol (34) and N-(2,3-methylenedioxy-6-methoxy-phenanthr-9-ylmethyl)-5-aminopentanol (28) showed the highest potency with IC50 values of 0.16 and 0.27 μM, respectively, against the A549 human cancer cell line, which are comparable to those of currently used antitumor drugs.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide