Synthesis and biological screening of a combinatorial library of β-chlorovinyl chalcones as anticancer,anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents

A combinatorial library of β-chlorovinyl chalcones (4) were synthesized by Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction. Catalytic reaction of substituted 3-chloro-3-phenyl-propenal (2) and 1-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethanone or 1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-ethanone (3) in alkaline conditions furnished the target compound 5-chloro-1-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-5-phenyl-penta-2,4-dien-1-one (4). The synthesized compounds were screened for their biological activity viz. anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Synthesized compounds 4g and 4h revealed promising anti-inflammatory activity (66–67% TNF-α and 95–97% IL-6 inhibitory activity at 10 μM). Cytotoxicity of the compounds checked using CCK-8 cell lines and found to be nontoxic to slightly toxic. Furthermore, the anticancer activity (30–40%) was shown by compounds 4d, 4e, 4h and 4b at 10 μM concentrations against ACHN followed by Calu 1, Panc1, HCT116 and H460 cell lines. Some of the compounds 4d, 4e, 4a, 4i and 4b revealed promising antimicrobial activity at MIC 50–100 μg/mL against selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of nitrogen-containing benzophenone analogues as TNF-α and IL-6 inhibitors with antioxidant activity

A series of nitrogen-containing benzophenone analogues were synthesized by Mannich reaction and evaluated for the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine) radical scavenging activity and its kinetics were studied to determine the antioxidant potential of the test samples. All the synthesized compounds exhibited promising activity against IL-6 in a range of 81–89%, 09–42% at 10 and 1 μM, respectively, concentration. Exceptionally, the compound 20e was observed to be an effective inhibitor of TNF-α (54%) and IL-6 (97%), (47%) at 10 and 1 μM concentrations with minimum toxicity (22%) against CCK-8 cells. With few exceptions, all other compounds were found to be excellent inhibitors of IL-6 and moderate to excellent inhibitors of TNF-α, however the toxicity profiles of these compounds need to be ameliorated in further optimization studies. Amongst the tested compounds, 16a, 17g, 18f, 18g, 19g and 20e were found to possess significant antioxidant activity.     

Pinostrobin and Cajanus lactone isolated from Cajanus cajan (L.) leaves inhibits TNF-α and IL-1β production: In vitro and in vivo experimentation

The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) inhibitory activities of Cajanus cajan (leaves) crude methanolic extract, its fractions and its phytochemical constituents were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 cells. Phytochemical investigation of the active ethyl acetate (CCE) and n-butanol (CCB) fractions of C. cajan L. leaves yielded 14 compounds. It was observed that both pinostrobin (9) and cajanus lactone (4) were found to be most active in inhibiting TNF-α (IC₅₀ < 22 μM) and IL-1β (IC₅₀ < 40 μM) whereas compounds 2, 3, 5–8, 10 and 14 showed moderate and mild effects (IC₅₀ = 35.50–81.22 μM for TNF-α and 38.23–89.10 μM for IL-1β) in both the cell lines. Furthermore, at dose of 20 mg/kg, both pinostrobin (9) and cajanus lactone (4) were found to reduce LPS-induced TNF-α levels by 48.6% and 55.0% respectively and IL-1β levels by 53.1% and 41.8% respectively in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. These findings suggest that C. cajan L. leaves can be developed as an effective herbal remedy for the treatment and prevention of inflammation or associated ailments.     

Natural abenquines and synthetic analogues: Preliminary exploration of their cytotoxic activity

In this study, we explore the cytotoxic activity of four natural abenquines (2a–d) and fourteen synthetic analogues (2e–j and 3a–h) against a panel of six human cancer cell lines using a SRB assay. It was found that most of the compounds revealed higher levels of cytotoxic activities than naturally occurring abenquines. The analogues carrying ethylpyrrolidinyl and ethylpyrimidinyl with either an acetyl group (2 h–i) or a benzoyl group (3f–g), were the most potent against all human cancer cell lines and displayed EC₅₀ between a range of 0.6–3.4 μM. Notably, of the compounds tested, compound 2i proved the most cytotoxic against both ovarian (A2780) and breast (MCF7) cells, showing EC₅₀ = 0.6 and 0.8 μM respectively. Likewise, the analogues 2i, 3f and 3 g showed strong activity against cell HT29 with EC₅₀ = 0.9 μM for these compounds.     

Bioactive chemical constituents from the root bark of Morus australis

Two new pyranoflavonoids, morustralins A (1) and B (2), a new natural benzene derivative, one benzenoid (Z)-1-hydroxy-4-(2-nitroethenyl)benzene (3), and thirty known compounds were isolated and characterized from the root bark of Morus australis. The structures of the new compounds were established from spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. Ten isolates (1–10) were examined for inhibitory effects on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, arachidonic acid (AA)-, and platelet-aggregating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation. Among the tested compounds, compound 3 displayed the most significant inhibition of ADP- and AA-induced platelet aggregation with IC₅₀ values of 9.76 ± 5.54 and 9.81 ± 2.7 μM, respectively. In addition, eight purified compounds (3–10) were examined for inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells and six compounds (3–8) displayed significant inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.1 ± 0.3 to 6.3 ± 0.6 μM.     

Synthesis of novel 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives using combinatorial chemistry as inhibitors of tyrosinase as well as potent anticancer,anti-inflammatory agents

In the present article, we have synthesized a combinatorial library of 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives using 8-(2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one (1) and hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethyl alcohol under the refluxed conditions. The structures of the compounds were established by IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectral analysis. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity against five cell lines (breast cancer cell line, prostate cancer cell line, promyelocytic leukemia cell line, lung cancer cell line, colon cancer cell line) and anti-inflammatory activity against TNF-α and IL-6. Out of 15 compounds screened, 2a and 2d exhibited promising anticancer activity (61–73% at 10 μM concentration) against all selected cell lines and IL-6 inhibition (47% and 42% at 10 μM concentration) as in comparison to standard flavopiridol (72–87% inhibition at 0.5 μM) and dexamethasone (85% inhibition at 1 μM concentration), respectively. Cytotoxicity of the compounds checked using CCK-8 cell lines and found to be nontoxic to slightly toxic. Out of 15, four 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives exhibiting potent inhibitory activities against both the monophenolase and diphenolase actions of tyrosinase. The IC₅₀ values of compounds (2a, 2d, 2h and 2l) for monophenolase inhibition were determined to range between 1.5 and 30 μM. Compounds 2a, 2d, 2h and 2l also inhibited diphenolase significantly with IC₅₀ values of 29.4, 21.5, 2.84 and 19.6 μM, respectively. All four 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives were active as tyrosinase inhibitors (2a, 2d, 2h and 2l), and belonging to competitive inhibitors. Interestingly, they all manifested simple reversible slow-binding inhibition against diphenolase.     

Antiplasmodial β-triketones from the flowers of the Australian tree Angophora woodsiana

Chemical investigations of the MeOH extract of air dried flowers of the Australian tree Angophora woodsiana (Myrtaceae) yielded two new β-triketones, woodsianones A and B (1, 2) and nine known β-triketones (3–11). Woodsianone A is a β-triketone-sesquiterpene adduct and woodsianone B is a β-triketone epoxide derivative. The structures of the new and known compounds were elucidated from the analysis of 1D/2D NMR and MS data. The relative configurations of the compounds were determined from analysis of ¹H–¹H coupling constants and ROESY correlations. All compounds (1–11) had antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine sensitive strain 3D7. The known compound rhodomyrtone (5) and new compound woodsianone B (2) showed moderate antiplasmodial activities against the 3D7 strain (1.84 µM and 3.00 µM, respectively) and chloroquine resistant strain Dd2 (4.00 µM and 2.53 µM, respectively).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel series of pyrazole chalcones as anti-inflammatory,antioxidant and antimicrobial agents

A novel series of 1-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-propenone (3) have been prepared by the Claisen–Schmidt condensation of 1-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethanone (1) and substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes (2). Substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes (2) were prepared by Vilsmeir–Haack reaction on acetophenonephenylhydrazones to offer the target compounds. The structures of the compounds were established by IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectral analysis. All the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-6 inhibitory assays), antioxidant (DPPH free radical scavenging assay) and antimicrobial activities (agar diffusion method) against some pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Of 10 compounds screened, compounds 3a, 3c and 3g exhibited promising IL-6 inhibitory (35–70% inhibition, 10 μM), free radical scavenging (25–35% DPPH activity) and antimicrobial activities (MIC 100 μg/mL and 250 μg/mL) at varied concentrations. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) and in silico drug relevant properties (HBD, HBA, PSA, c Log P, molecular weight, E_HOMO and E_LUMO) further confirmed that the compounds are potential lead compounds for future drug discovery study. Toxicity of the compounds was evaluated theoretically and experimentally and revealed to be nontoxic except 3d and 3j.     

Synthesis,antimycobacterial activity and docking study of 2-aroyl-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one derivatives and related hydrazide-hydrazones

A new convenient method for preparation of 2-aroyl-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one derivatives 5b–g and coumarin containing hydrazide-hydrazone analogues 4a–e was presented. The antimycobacterial activity against reference strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and cytotoxicity against the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293 were tested in vitro. All compounds demonstrated significant minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging 0.28–1.69 μM, which were comparable to those of isoniazid. The cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 200 µM) to the “normal cell” model HEK-293T exhibited by 2-aroyl-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one derivatives 5b–e, was noticeably milder compared to that of their hydrazone analogues 4a–e (IC₅₀ 33–403 µM). Molecular docking studies on compounds 4a–e and 5b–g were also carried out to investigate their binding to the 2-trans-enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) enzyme involved in M. tuberculosis cell wall biogenesis. The binding model suggested one or more hydrogen bonding and/or arene-H or arene-arene interactions between hydrazones or pyrazole-fused coumarin derivatives and InhA enzyme for all synthesized compounds.     

Rubiyunnanins C-H, cytotoxic cyclic hexapeptides from Rubia yunnanensis inhibiting nitric oxide production and NF-κB activation

Six new (rubiyunnanins C–H, 1–6) and five known (7–11) cyclic hexapeptides were isolated from the roots of Rubia yunnanensis (Franch.) Diels. The structures and stereochemistry of 1–6 were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. All compounds (1–11) not only exhibited cytotoxic activities against a panel of eleven cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.001 to 56.24 μM, but also exerted inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS and IFN-γ-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophages with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.05 to 12.68 μM. Furthermore, this is the first time it is being reported that compounds 2 and 7–10 significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation in HEK-293-NF-κB luciferase stable cells with IC₅₀ values of 35.07, 0.03, 1.69, 12.64 and 1.18 μM, respectively.     

α-Pyrone derivatives with cytotoxic activities,from the endophytic fungus Phoma sp. YN02-P-3

Four new α-pyrone derivatives phomones C-F (1?4) together with four known compounds (5?8) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Phoma sp. YN02-P-3. Compound 1 is the first example of 6-α,β-unsaturated ester-2-pyrone dimers via intermolecular symmetrical [2 + 2] cycloaddition. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined from spectroscopic data (1D/2D NMR, MS and IR). The acetylated product (9) of 1 along with compounds 1–8 were then tested for their cytotoxicity against HL-60, PC-3 and HCT-116 cell lines. Compounds 2, 3, 5 and 9 with acetyl groups showed significant inhibitory activities against the three cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range 0.52–9.85 μM. while compounds 1, 4 and 6–8 that possess no acetyl group showed no inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ > 50 μM), indicating that the acetyl group at 10- or 12- are essential for their cytotoxic activities. The structure-activity relationships of these phomones were also reported.     

Synthesis and biological activity of novel tert-amylphenoxyalkyl (homo)piperidine derivatives as histamine H3R ligands

As a continuation of our search for novel histamine H₃ receptor ligands a series of twenty new tert-amyl phenoxyalkylamine derivatives (2–21) was synthesized. Compounds of four to eight carbon atoms spacer alkyl chain were evaluated on their binding properties at human histamine H₃ receptor (hH₃R). The highest affinities were observed for pentyl derivatives 6–8 (K_i = 8.8–23.4 nM range) and among them piperidine derivative 6 with K_i = 8.8 nM. Structures 6, 7 were also classified as antagonists in cAMP accumulation assay (with EC₅₀ = 157 and 164 nM, respectively). Moreover, new compounds were also evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in Antiepileptic Screening Program (ASP) at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (USA). Seven compounds (2–4, 9, 11, 12 and 20) showed anticonvulsant activity at maximal electroshock (MES) test in the dose of 30 mg/kg at 0.5 h. In the subcutaneous pentetrazole (scMET) test compound 4 showed protection at 100 and 300 mg/kg dose at mice, however compounds showed high neurotoxicity in rotarod test at used doses. Also, molecular modeling studies were undertaken, to explain affinity of compounds at hH₃R (taking into the consideration X-ray analysis of compound 18). In order to estimate “drug-likeness” of selected compounds in silico and experimental evaluation of lipophilicity, metabolic stability and cytotoxicity was performed.     

Anti-HIV-1 integrase diterpenoids from Dichrocephala benthamii

Five new clerodane diterpenoid dichrocephnoids A–E (1,2, 6–8) together with three known analogues were isolated from the whole herb of Dichrocephala benthamii C.B. Clarke. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). The relative configurations of the new compounds were established by NOESY correlations, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined on the basis of CD methods. Dichrocephnoid A (1) possesses a very rare pentacyclic ring system with highly oxygenated functionalities. All of the isolated compounds exhibited inhibitory activity against HIV-1 integrase, however, dichrocephnoid C (6) showed the most promising inhibition of the enzyme with IC₅₀ value of 12.35 ± 1.27 μM.     

Solution-phase microwave assisted parallel synthesis,biological evaluation and in silico docking studies of N,N′-disubstituted thioureas derived from 3-chlorobenzoic acid

A facile and robust microwave-assisted solution phase parallel synthesis protocol was exercised for the development of a 38-member library of N,N′-disubstituted thiourea analogues (1–38) by using an identical set of conditions. The reaction time for synthesis of N,N′-disubstituted thiourea analogues was drastically reduced from a reported duration of 8–12 h for conventional methods to only 1.5–2.0 min. All the derivatives (1–38) were characterized by physico-analytical techniques such as elemental analysis in combination with FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and by single crystal XRD analysis have also been performed. These compounds were screened for their in vitro urease inhibition activities. Majority of compounds exhibited potent urease inhibition activities, however, the most significant activity was found for 16, with an IC₅₀ value of 1.23 ± 0.1 μM. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were screened for their cytotoxic potential against lungs cancer cell lines. Cell culture studies demonstrated significant toxicity of the compounds on the cell lines, and the levels of toxicity were altered in the presence of various side groups. The molecular docking studies of the most potent inhibitors were performed to identify the probable binding modes in the active site of the urease enzymes. These compounds have a great potential and significance for further investigations.     

Anti-allergic principles of Rhinacanthus nasutus leaves

Three naphthoquinone derivatives, rhinacanthin-C (1), -D (2) and -N (3) were isolated from the extract of Rhinacanthus nasutus Kurz leaves and were tested for anti-allergic effect. The result indicated that all three compounds possessed very potent anti-allergic activity against antigen-induced β-hexosaminidase release as a marker of degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells with IC₅₀ values of 6.9, 8.9 and 6.4 μM, respectively. In addition, the effects of rhinacanthin-C, -D and -N on antigen-induced release of TNF-α and IL-4 were also examined. It was found that rhinacanthin-C showed the most potent on antigen-induced TNF-α release with an IC₅₀ value of 0.7 μM, followed by rhinacanthin-D (IC₅₀=3.8 μM) and rhinacanthin-N (IC₅₀=10.3 μM), whereas those for IL-4 were rhinacanthin-D (IC₅₀=5.4 μM), rhinacanthin-C (IC₅₀=7.0 μM) and rhinacanthin-N (IC₅₀=12.0 μM), respectively. The mechanisms in the late phase reaction of rhinacanthin-C, -D and -N were found to inhibit TNF-α and IL-4 gene expression in antigen-induced TNF-α and IL-4 releases on from RBL-2H3 cells as dose-dependent manners.The structure-activity trends of rhinacanthin-C,-D and-N on the inhibition of TNF-α release are as follow; substitution with octadienoic acid (rhinacanthin-C) conferred much higher activity than that of benzodioxo carboxylic acid ester (rhinacanthin-D) as well as naphthalene carboxylic acid ester (rhinacanthin-N). For the inhibition of IL-4 release, the substitution with octadienoic acid (rhinacanthin-C) and benzodioxo carboxylic acid ester (rhinacanthin-D) possessed the effect two-fold higher than that of naphthalene carboxylic acid ester (rhinacanthin-N).As regards active constituents for anti-allergic activity of R. nasutus, rhinacanthin-C, -D and -N are responsible for anti-allergic effect of this plant on both the early phase and late phase reactions. The finding may support the traditional use of R. nasutus leaves for treatment of allergy and allergy-related diseases.     

Anti-inflammatory components of Euphorbia humifusa Willd.

Two new compounds, euphorbinoside (1) and dehydropicrorhiza acid methyl diester (2), along with 24 known compounds (3–26) were isolated from Euphorbia humifusa Willd. The effects of these compounds on soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory activity were evaluated. Flavonoid compounds (10–21) exhibited high sEH inhibitory activity. Among them, compounds 12, 13, and 19 greatly inhibited sEH enzymatic activity, with IC₅₀ values as low as 18.05 ± 1.17, 18.64 ± 1.83, and 17.23 ± 0.84 μM, respectively. In addition, the effects of these compounds on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production by RAW 264.7 cells were investigated. Compounds 3–6, 8, 18, 20–23, and 25–26 inhibited the production of both NO and TNF-α, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 11.1 ± 0.9 to 45.3 ± 1.6 μM and 14.4 ± 0.5 to 44.5 ± 1.2 μM, respectively.     

Structure–activity relationship of lupane-triterpene glycosides from Acanthopanax koreanum on spleen lymphocyte IL-2 and IFN-γ

Phytochemical investigation resulted in the isolation of three new lupane-triterpene glycosides acankoreosides M–O (1, 2 and 8) together with eight known lupane-triterpene glycosides (3–7, 9–11) from the leaves of Acanthopanax koreanum (Araliaceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated by mass, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The effect of eleven lupane-triterpene glycosides on Con A-induced splenolytic production of IL-2 and IFN-γ were measured as markers of acquired immune responses. Compounds 4, 5, 7, and 11 (5, 25, and 100 μM) significantly increased IFN-γ and IL-2 release in spleen cells.     

Pharmacological evaluation and docking studies of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based synthetic compounds as inhibitors of secretory phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenases,lipoxygenase and proinflammatory cytokines

Arachidonic acid and its metabolites have generated high level of interest among researchers due to their vital role in inflammation. The inhibition of enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism has been considered as synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. A series of novel α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity on secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂), cyclooxygenases (COX), soybean lipoxygenase (LOX) in addition to proinflammatory cytokines comprising IL-6 and TNF-α. Six α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based compounds (2, 3, 4, 12, 13 and 14) exhibited strong inhibition of sPLA₂ activity, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 2.19–8.76 μM. Nine compounds 1–4 and 10–14 displayed inhibition of COX-1 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.37 to 1.77 μM (lower than that of reference compound), whereas compounds 2, 10, 13 and 14 strongly inhibited the COX-2. The compounds 10–14 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against LOX enzyme. All compounds were evaluated for the inhibitory activities against LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 release in the macrophages. On the basis of screening results, five active compounds 3, 4, 12, 13 and 14 were found strong inhibitors of TNF-α and IL-6 release in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking experiments were performed to clarify the molecular aspects of the observed COX and LOX inhibitory activities of the investigated compounds. Present findings increases the possibility that these α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based compounds might serve as beneficial starting point for the design and development of improved anti-inflammatory agents.     

Phytochemical and cytotoxic studies on the leaves of Calotropis gigantea

A new lignan, 9′-methoxypinoresinol (1), and two new glycosylated 5-hydroxymethylfurfurals, calofurfuralside A (2), and calofurfuralside B (3), together with nine known compounds (4–12) have been isolated from the active fractions, CHCl₃ (IC₅₀, 0.32 μg mL^?1) and EtOAc (IC₅₀, 0.55 μg mL^?1) fractions of the leaves of Calotropis gigantea. Their structures were elucidated based on NMR and MS data. Among the isolated compounds, compounds 1 and 9 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line under the normoglycemic condition with IC₅₀ values of 3.7 and 3.3 μM, respectively. 9′-Methoxypinoresinol (1) significantly inhibited the colony formation of PANC-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.     

Solvent free,catalyst free,microwave or grinding assisted synthesis of bis-cyclic imide derivatives and their evaluation for anticancer activity

Cyclic imides are well known to be very important antitumor agents such as mitonafide and amonafide etc. Based on this fact, we have synthesized two series of cyclic imide derivatives containing two cyclic imide moiety in their structures (bis-cyclic imides) and screened them for in vitro anticancer activity against five human cancer cell lines i.e. breast (T47D), lung (NCl H-522), colon (HCT-15), ovary (PA-1) and liver (Hep G2). One series of bis-cyclic imide derivatives (3a–h) have been synthesized by condensation of acid anhydrides (1a–b) with diamines (2a–d) and another series (9a–f, 10a–f, 11a–f and 12a–f) by condensation of various diamines (4a–f) with diacids (5–8) in good yields. Structures assigned to 3a–h, 9a–f, 10a–f, 11a–f and 12a–f were fully characterized by spectroscopic means and elemental analysis. On screening for in vitro anticancer activity, compounds 3a (breast T47D), 3d (breast T47D, liver Hep G2), 3e (breast T47D, liver Hep G2), 3h (colon HCT-15), 10f (liver Hep G2) and 11a (colon HCT-15, ovary PA-1) exhibited good anticancer activities with IC₅₀ values range from 12.41 ± 3.2 to 17.9 ± 2.5 μM.