Novel N-4-piperazinyl-ciprofloxacin-chalcone hybrids: Synthesis, physicochemical properties, anticancer and topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity

• A group of novel N-4-piperazinyl-ciprofloxacin-chalcone derivatives was prepared.
• Compounds 3g exhibited a broad-spectrum of anti-tumor activity.
• The tested compounds have shown significant topo I and topo II inhibitory activity.

A group of novel N-4-piperazinyl-ciprofloxacin-chalcone hybrids was prepared. One-dose anticancer test results indicated that compounds 3a and 3g exhibited the highest ability to inhibit the proliferation of different cancer cell lines. Compound 3a exhibited a broad-spectrum of anti-tumor activity without pronounced selectivity while compound 3g revealed high selectivity toward the leukemia subpanel with selectivity ratio of 6.71 at GI50 level. Moreover, compounds 3e and 3j have shown remarkable topo II inhibitory activity compared to etoposide at 100 μM and 20 μM concentrations. Compounds 3e and 3j exhibited comparably potent topo I inhibitory activity at 20 μM concentration compared to camptothecin. Compounds 3e and 3j exhibited strong topo II inhibitory activities compared to topo I at 20 μM concentration. Studying of the solubility and partition coefficient revealed higher lipophilicity of the hybrids 3a–j compared to the parent ciprofloxacin.

Novel N-4-piperazinyl-ciprofloxacin-chalcone hybrids were prepared and evaluated for their anticancer and topoisomerase inhibitory activities.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide