title: Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxic activity of pyrrolo[2,3-e]indole derivatives and a dihydro benzoindole analogue.
abstract: The synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-e]indole derivatives with the structural characteristics of DNA bis- and mono-intercalators are described. A dihydro benzoindol analogue was also synthesised to elucidate the major structural requirements for cytotoxic activity. A biological evaluation of the test compounds was carried out in six different tumoral cell lines. The factors that affect the cytotoxic activity appear to be the substituents on the phenyl group, the presence of an amide group capable of strong interactions such as hydrogen bonding and solubility.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, Mexico, D.F.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chacón-García
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D007364:Intercalating Agents