Synthesis, inhibition of NO production and antiproliferative activities of some indole derivatives

Abstract

The synthesis and the biological evaluation of pyrano[3,2-e]indoles and their reaction intermediates are described. The compounds prepared were evaluated for their inhibition of NO production, antioxidant activity and also for their ability to inhibit in vitro the growth of four human tumor cell lines: large lung carcinoma (COR-L23), alveolar basal epithelial carcinoma (A549), amelanotic melanoma (C32) and melanoma (A375). The two reaction intermediates, 5a and 5b, showed the highest inhibition of NO production in murine monocytic macrophage (IC₅₀ = 1.1 μM and IC₅₀ = 2.3 μM respectively). Compound 5a was the most active against melanotic melanoma (IC₅₀ = 11.8 μM) while the other compounds exhibited weak cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values >50 μM on all cell lines.

Keywords::

• Pyrano[3;2-e]indoles
• indole derivatives
• von Pechmann reaction
• coumarin derivatives
• inhibition of NO production
• antiproliferative effect

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.