title: Antitumor agents XLV: Bisbrusatolyl and brusatolyl esters and related compounds as novel potent antileukemic agents.
abstract: A series of new bisbrusatolyl and brusatolyl esters and related compounds were synthesized and tested for in vivo antileukemia activity against a quassinoid sensitive strain of P-388 lymphocytic leukemia in BDF1 mice. The bisbrusatolyl malonate, succinate, glutarate, adipate, and sebacate were as active or more active than brusatol. The C-3 esters of brusatol and bruceantin were also found to be as active or more active than brusatol or bruceantin in general. The free hydroxyl groups at C-11 and C-12 as well as the enone double bond in ring A of both bisbrusatolyl and brusatolyl esters are required for antileukemic activity. The presence of a double bond in the ester side chain contributes to the enhanced activity of these esters.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D005900:Glaucarubin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007941:Leukemia P388 / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D005900:Glaucarubin