Design and synthesis of (Z/E)-2-phenyl/H-3-styryl-2H-chromene derivatives as antimicrotubule agents

Abstract

Two new series of compounds (Z / E)-2-phenyl/H-3-Styryl-2H-Chromenes 9(a-r) and 10(a-s) were synthesized and evaluated in vitro cytotoxic activities against four cancer cell lines. One compound, (Z)-8-ethoxy-3-(4-methoxystyryl)-2-phenyl-2H-chromene ( 9g) was found to be the most active among the tested compounds in HeLa cell lines ( $${\hbox {IC}}_{50} 10 {\upmu }\hbox {M}$$ ). Compound 9g arrested cells at G2/M phase, disrupted microtubule network, accumulated tubulin in the soluble fraction and manifested an increased expression of the G2/M marker, Cyclin B1. SYNOPSIS Two new series of compounds (Z / E)-2-phenyl/H-3-Styryl-2H-Chromenes (37 compounds) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against four cancer cell lines. One compound, (Z)-8-ethoxy-3-(4-methoxystyryl)-2-phenyl-2H-chromene ( 9g) was found to be the most active among the tested compounds in HeLa cell lines ( $${\hbox {IC}}_{50} 10 {\upmu }\hbox {M}$$ ).