Synthesis and Evaluation of Antitumor Activity

Fourty eight derivatives of 2-(1-oxyalkyl)-1,4-dioxy-9,10-anthraquinone were synthesized, and their antitumor activity was evaluated. On the whole, 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones (DHAQ=1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone) showed stronger cytotoxic activity against L1210 cells than 2-(l-hydroxyalkyl)-1,4-dimethoxy-9,10-anthraquinones(DMAQ =1,4-dimethoxy-9,10-anthraquinone), implying that free hydroxy groups at C-1 and C-4 of the anthraquinone structure are necessary for the cytotoxic activity. The bioactivity of 2-(lhydroxyalkyl)-DHAQ derivatives differed according to the size of alkyl group at C-1;while the elongation of alkyl group over 7 carbon atoms failed to enhance the bioactivity, the derivatives possessing alkyl moiety of 1-6 carbon atoms showed an increase in the cytotoxicity and the antitumor activity in Sarcoma-180; 2-hydroxymethyl-DHAQ ($ED_{50}$, $15\mu\textrm{g}$/ml; T/C, 125%), 2-(1 -hydroxyethyl)-DHAQ($1.9{\mu}g/ml;139.2%)$;, 2-(1-hydroxypropyl)-DHAQ ($7.2{\mu}g$/ml; 135.1%), 2-(1-hydroxybutyl)-DHAQ ($10.2{\mu}g/ml; 125.3%)$, 2-(1-hydroxypentyl)-DHAQ ($23.7{\mu}g/ml; 110.1%$). and 2-(1-hydroxyhexyl)-DHAQ ($58{\mu}g/ml;108%$). Next, 2-(1-Hydroxyalkyl)-DHAQ derivatives were acetylated to produce 2-(1-acetoxyalkyl)-DHAQ analogues. Although the acetylation somewhat enhanced the cytotoxicity, but not the antitumor action. In addition, the presence of phenyl group at $C-1^{l}$ enhanced the cytotoxicity and the T/C value, compared to alkyl groups of same size; 2-(1-hydroxy-1-phenyl)-DHAQ ($ED_{50}$, $5.6{\mu}g$, T/C, 137%).