Synthesis of 2,3,6,7-tetramethoxyphenanthren-9-amine: An efficient precursor to access new 4-aza-2,3-dihydropyridophenanthrenes as apoptosis inducing agents

A new route for the synthesis of novel 2,3,6,7-tetramethoxy phenanthrene amine precursor has been successfully accomplished. Subsequently, this amine precursor has been directly utilized for the synthesis of a new series of 4-aza-2,3-dihydropyridophenanthrene derivatives via a three component reaction with tetronic acid and substituted aldehydes. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic potential against human lung (A549), prostate (PC-3 and DU145), breast (MDA-MB-231 and 4T1), gastric (HGC-27), colon (Caco-2) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. Compound 10l showed significant anticancer profile against DU145 cell line with an IC50 value of 2.6 ± 0.34 μM. Disruption of F-actin cytoskeleton structure and cell migration inhibition in DU145 cells clearly indicate that the tumor progression and metastasis are affected by this compound (10l). Cell cycle analysis revealed that it arrests the cells in G2/M phase. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining, Hoechst staining and annexin-V binding assays showed that cell proliferation is inhibited through induction of apoptosis. Moreover, its treatment leads to collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential (DΨm).