title: Synthesis and biological activity of some antitumor benzophenanthridinium salts.
abstract: A facil synthesis of benzophenanthridinium salts has been developed and used for preparing a number of these compounds.  The antitumor activities in mouse leukemia L1210 (LE) and P388 (PS) were determined as well as some selected antimicrobial activities.  Although antitumor activity was exhibited by several of the derivatives, none was as active as the naturally occurring alkaloid fagaronine.  Fagaronine was made available as a synthetic by an improved procedure.  Some structure-activity relationships among antitumor benzophenanthridinium salts are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D007939:Leukemia L1210 / Q000188:drug therapy; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010617:Phenanthridines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010617:Phenanthridines; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds