Synthesis and radiolabelling of Re(CO)3‐β‐elemene derivatives as potential therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals

Abstract

Abstractβ‐Elemene, (1S, 2S, 4R)‐(−)‐(1‐methy‐1‐vinyl‐2,4‐diisopropenyl cyclohexane) is an anticancer agent from the Traditional Chinese Herb Medicinal. Three novel Re(CO)3‐β‐elemene derivatives including their radioactive conjugates containing N,N,N tridentate ligands and tricarbonyl rhenium (complex 12, 13, 14) were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by infrared (IR), 1H‐NMR and HRMS. Good radioactive yield (above 90%) and radioactive chemical purity with Re‐188 (above 95%) were obtained for all of the three derivatives (complex 15, 16, 17). The antiproliferative activity of non‐radioactive β‐elemene‐Re(CO)3 derivatives on Lewis lung cancer cells and HeLa cell lines were evaluated by WST‐1 methods. The result shows substantial decrease in IC50 values compared with the parent compound β‐elemene. The synthesis and radiosynthesis of β‐elemene tricarbonyl rhenium conjugates provide the possibility to find a new kind of potential radiopharmaceuticals on β‐elemene. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.