Synthesis and cytotoxicity study of alkannin derivatives

Abstract

Alkannin derivatives ( 3–19) were prepared through the reaction of β,β-dimethylacrylalkannin ( 1), the most abundant isohexenylnaphthazarin isolated from the roots of Arnebia euchroma, with different types of nucleophiles such as amines and thiols in the absence or presence of a reducing agent. The cytotoxicities of 1–8, 10–14 and 19 against four human carcinoma cell line (GLC-82, CNE2, Bel-7402, K-562) were found to be markedly higher than that of the naturally occurring β,β-dimethylacrylalkannin ( 1) and acetylalkannin ( 2). This study also shed light on the understanding of the biological activities in terms of the chemical reactivity of alkannins.