Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of new (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-indol-1-yl)-3-R-propionic acids and propionic acid ethyl esters generated by molecular mimicry.
Indolones 4 and 5, and indolyl-aminoacids 6a-e, 7a-e, and 8a and 8b were designed by structural modification of lead compound 3. These compounds were tested on six tumor cell lines to determine the role of the azepinone ring and the N-phenyl substituent in the cytotoxicity of 3. Our results show that 4 and 5 have dramatically reduced cytotoxicity, due to the loss of the azepinone moiety of lead compound 3. In contrast, indolyl-aminoacids 6a, 7a, and 8a (N-(L)-cysteine ethyl ester derivatives) inhibited the proliferation of almost all cancer cell lines tested, even though they lack the azepinone ring. In addition, derivative 6c (N-(D)-alanine methyl ester group) was selectively cytotoxic to HCT-15 cells. Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies with these compounds revealed the importance of the ethyl ester moiety on the amino acid moiety. Compounds 6a-e, 7a-e, and 8a and 8b were obtained in good yields by a catalytic Paal-Knorr reaction carried out under microwave irradiation using commercially available chiral amino esters or amino acids and 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds.
Martínez
Roberto
R
Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad. Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, México DF, Mexico. robmar@servidor.unam.mx
Clara-Sosa
Angel
A
Ramírez Apan
Ma Teresa
MT
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004952:Esters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D011422:Propionates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004952:Esters; D007211:Indoles; D011422:Propionates