A functional genomics approach to the mode of action of apratoxin A

The cyanobacterial metabolite apratoxin A (1) demonstrates potent cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines by a hitherto unknown mechanism. We have used functional genomics to elucidate the molecular basis for this activity. Gene expression profiling and DNA content analysis showed that apratoxin A induces G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Cell-based functional assays with a genome-wide collection of expression cDNAs showed that ectopic induction of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling attenuates the apoptotic activity of apratoxin A. This natural product inhibited phosphorylation and activation of STAT3, a downstream effector of FGFR signaling. It also caused defects in FGF-dependent processes during zebrafish development, with concomitant reductions in expression levels of the FGF target gene mkp3. We conclude that apratoxin A mediates its antiproliferative activity through the induction of G1 cell cycle arrest and an apoptotic cascade, which is at least partially initiated through antagonism of FGF signaling via STAT3.     

Association of the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease gene product SAP/SH2D1A with 2B4, a natural killer cell-activating molecule, is dependent on phosphoinositide 3-kinase

Natural killer (NK) cells express an activating receptor, 2B4, that enhances cellular cytotoxicity. Upon NK cell activation by ligation of 2B4, the intracellular domain of 2B4 associates with the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) gene product, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein/SH2D1A (SAP/SH2D1A). Defective intracellular association of 2B4 with mutated SAP/SH2D1A is likely to underlie the defects in cytotoxicity observed in NK cells from patients with XLP. We report here a role for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in the recruitment and association of SAP/SH2D1A to 2B4 in human NK cells. The activation of normal NK cells by ligation of 2B4 leads to the phosphorylation of 2B4, recruitment of SAP/SH2D1A, and association of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K. The inhibition of PI3K enzymatic activity with either wortmannin or LY294002 prior to 2B4 ligation does not alter the association of 2B4 with the p85 subunit but prevents the recruitment of SAP/SH2D1A to 2B4. In addition, PI3K inhibitors significantly diminish the cytotoxic function of primary NK cells. This observed inhibition of cytotoxicity, present in normal NK cells, was less apparent or absent in NK cells derived from a patient with XLP. These data indicate that the cytotoxicity of activated NK cells is mediated by the association of 2B4 and SAP/SH2D1A, and that this association is dependent upon the activity of PI3K.     

QSAR by LFER model of cytotoxicity data of anti-HIV 5-phenyl-1-phenylamino-1H-imidazole derivatives using principal component factor analysis and genetic function approximation

Cytotoxicity data of anti-HIV 5-phenyl-1-phenylamino-1H-imidazole derivatives were subjected to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study using linear free energy related (LFER) model of Hansch using electronic (Hammett sigma), hydrophobicity (pi) and steric (molar refractivity and STERIMOL L, B1, B2, B3 and B4) parameters of phenyl ring substituents of the compounds, along with appropriate indicator variables. Principal component factor analysis (FA) was used as the data-preprocessing step to identify the important predictor variables contributing to the response variable and to avoid collinearities among them. The generated multiple linear regression (MLR) equations were statistically validated using leave-one-out technique. Genetic function approximation (GFA) was also used on the same data set to develop QSAR equations, which produced the same best equation as obtained with FA-MLR. The final equation is of acceptable statistical quality (explained variance 80.2%) and predictive potential (leave-one-out predicted variance 74%). The analysis explores the structural and physicochemical contributions of the compounds for cytotoxicity. A thiol substituent at 2 position of the imidazole nucleus decreases cytotoxicity when compared to the corresponding unsubstituted congener. Presence of hydrogen bond donor group at meta position of the phenyl ring present at 5 position of the imidazole nucleus also reduces cytotoxicity. Additionally, absence of any substituent at 2 and 3 positions of the phenyl ring of 1-phenylamino fragment reduces the cytotoxicity. The negative coefficient of sigmap indicates that presence of electron-withdrawing substituents at the para position of the phenyl ring of the 1-phenylamino fragment is not favourable for the cytotoxicity. Again, lipophilicity of meta substituents of the 5-phenyl ring increases cytotoxicity. The coefficients of molar refractivity (MRm) and STERIMOL parameters for meta substituents (Lm, B1m and B4m) of the phenyl ring of 1-phenylamino fragment indicate that the length, width and overall size of meta substituents are conducive factors for the cytotoxicity.     

Different phenotypic variants of the mouse B cell tumor A20/2J are selected by antigen- and mitogen-triggered cytotoxicity of L3T4-positive, I-A-restricted T cell clones

The L3T4+, Lyt-2-, cloned BALB/c T cell lines 5.9.24 and 5.8.6 are cytotoxic for the BALB/c B cell tumor line A20/2J. The T cell cytotoxicity against A20/2J cells could be triggered either by the specific antigen ovalbumin (OVA), which is recognized by the T cell clones in association with I-Ad determinants, or by the T cell mitogens Con A and rabbit anti-mouse brain (RaMBr) antiserum. Repeated exposure of A20/2J cells to 5.9.24 and 5.8.6 T cell cytotoxicity selected variant cell lines that had developed resistance to cytotoxicity. The variant lines could be classified into four different variant phenotypes of which three were stably maintained in vitro. The type of variant obtained appeared to be related to the nature of the ligand used to trigger T cell cytotoxicity during selection. Cytotoxicity triggered by the antigen OVA generated type 1 variants that expressed abnormally low levels of I-Ad determinants at the cell surface. Type 1 variants were resistant to OVA-triggered 5.9.24 T cell cytotoxicity, but were fully susceptible to cytotoxicity triggered by Con A or RaMBr antiserum. RaMBr-triggered cytotoxicity generated two unique types of variant cell lines: type 3 variants that were deficient in cell surface Fc receptors and resistant to 5.9.24 cytotoxicity only when triggered by RaMBr antiserum, and type 4 variants that were resistant to cytotoxicity triggered by all three ligands. One type 4 variant, the IC-1 cell line, appeared to be resistant to soluble cytotoxic factors released by 5.9.24 T cells after activation by antigen. All of these variant lines retained sensitivity to cytotoxicity by classic Lyt-2+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), a finding that indicates that L3T4a+ T cells and Lyt-2+ CTL use different molecules to attack their target cells. The variant phenotypes were inherited by clones derived from the original cell lines. Because the variants were generated without mutagenesis, they are thought to have been derived by the immunoselection of pre-existing variant cells that arose spontaneously in the parental A20/2J cell line. It is postulated that inheritable variation of A20/2J cells may represent changes that normally occur during B cell differentiation in response to T cell signals. The variant A20/2J cell lines described here provide material for the investigation of B cell surface structures that may regulate T-B cell interactions.     

Synthesis of 13-amino costunolide derivatives as anticancer agents

A number of costunolide derivatives (4a-p) have been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against eight tumor and a non-tumor cell lines. Compound 4d showed around 2-fold better cytotoxicity against SW-620 (colon) cell line with improved safety index than costunolide (1). While compounds 4e, 4g, and 4p have shown around 2- to 3-fold better cytotoxicity against MIAPaCa2 (pancreas), K-562 (leukemia) and PA-1 (ovary) cell lines as well as better safety index in comparison to costunolide (1). Compound 4p also exhibited cytotoxicity against HBL100 (breast) cell line with 2-fold better safety index. Structure-activity relationship has been described.     

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of dihydronaphthalene and benzosuberene analogs of the combretastatins as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization in cancer chemotherapy

A novel series of dihydronaphthalene and benzosuberene analogs bearing structural similarity to the combretastatins in terms of 1,2-diarylethene, trimethoxyphenyl, and biaryl functionality has been synthesized. The compounds have been evaluated in regard to their ability to inhibit tubulin assembly and for their cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cell lines. From this series of compounds, benzosuberene analogs 2 and 4 inhibited tubulin assembly at concentrations comparable to that of combretastatin A-4 (CA4) and combretastatin A-1 (CA1). Furthermore, analog 4 demonstrated remarkable cytotoxicity against the three human cancer cell lines evaluated (for example GI(50)=0.0000032 microM against DU-145 prostate carcinoma).     

Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity of 5-substituted 2-cyanoimino-4-imidazodinone and 2-cyanoimino-4-pyrimidinone derivatives

A series of 5-substituted 2-cyanoimino-4-imidazodinone and 2-cyanoimino-4-pyrimidinone derivatives were synthesized and their anticancer cytotoxicity were evaluated in in vitro assay. It was found that the bulky aryl functionality in the 5-position of the 2-cyanoimino-4-imidazolidinone compounds was essential for the cytotoxicity of these heterocyclic compounds. Some of the derivatives exhibited modest cytotoxicity against a variety of cancer cell lines. One of the derivatives, [1-[6-(4-chlorophenoxy)hexyl]-5-oxo-4-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)tetrahydro-1H-2-imidazolyliden]aminomethanenitrile (Compound 11), exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity with IC(50) in the nanomolar range. The cytotoxicity of these derivatives was selection with no apparent toxic effect toward normal fibroblasts.     

Cyclodepsipeptide toxin promotes the degradation of Hsp90 client proteins through chaperone-mediated autophagy

Promoting the degradation of Hsp90 client proteins by inhibiting Hsp90, an important protein chaperone, has been shown to be a promising new anticancer strategy. In this study, we show that an oxazoline analogue of apratoxin A (oz-apraA), a cyclodepsipeptide isolated from a marine cyanobacterium, promotes the degradation of Hsp90 clients through chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). We identify a KFERQ-like motif as a conserved pentapeptide sequence in the kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) necessary for recognition as a CMA substrate. Mutation of this motif prevents EGFR degradation by CMA and promotes the degradation of EGFR through the proteasomal pathway in oz-apraA–treated cells. Oz-apraA binds to Hsc70/Hsp70. We propose that apratoxin A inhibits Hsp90 function by stabilizing the interaction of Hsp90 client proteins with Hsc70/Hsp70 and thus prevents their interactions with Hsp90. Our study provides the first examples for the ability of CMA to mediate degradation of membrane receptors and cross talks of CMA and proteasomal degradation mechanisms.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation,and structure–activity relationship study of novel cytotoxic aza-caffeic acid derivatives

Three series of aza-caffeic acid derivatives with different linkers were designed and synthesized. Each of the synthesized derivatives was then used in cytotoxicity screening on either 8 or 12 human cancer cell lines. The structure–activity relationships on three structural regions A, B, and C are analyzed in detail, indicating that a nine bond linker B, containing a piperazine unit, is the most favorable linker leading to the generation of molecules with potent cytotoxicities. Compound (E)-1-(4-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)piperazin-1-yl)-3-(4-(4-ethoxybenzyloxy)-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (80) exhibited the most significant and selective cytotoxicity to KB, BEL7404, K562, and Eca109 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 0.2, 2.0, 1.7, and 1.1 μM, respectively, stronger than that seen for caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and cisplatin (CDDP). Flow cytometric and western blot analysis indicate that compound 80 plays a role in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis activity by suppressing K562 cell proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.     

Spontaneous human T-cell cytotoxicity against murine hybridomas expressing the OKT3 monoclonal antibody: comparison with natural killer cell activity

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) exhibited spontaneous cytotoxicity against OKT3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-expressing murine hybridoma cells (OKT3 hybridomas). In contrast, other murine hybridomas expressing OKT4, OKT8, anti-HLA DR, and anti-HLA A, B, and C mAb were not lysed. PBL showed much lower levels of cytotoxicity (3 folds) against OKT3 hybridomas as compared with NK activity against the K562 targets. Lymph node (LN) cells exhibited the inverse relationship of cytotoxicity levels. The addition of OKT3 mAb to the effector cells totally blocked both the binding and the lysis of OKT3 hybridoma targets, indicating that the CD3 antigen on the effector cells may be involved in recognition of the targets. The addition of concanavalin (Con A) also inhibited the cytotoxicity of OKT3 hybridomas. OKT4 mAb-expressing hybridomas became susceptible to lysis after chemical attachment of OKT3 mAb with CrCl3. The kinetics of lysis of OKT3 hybridomas resembled that of NK activity. Both cytotoxicities were detectable after 1 to 2 hr and reached plateau levels by 4 to 6 hr. Effector cells responsible for lysis of OKT3 hybridomas expressed T3, T8, and Leu 7 antigens, but lacked T4 and Leu 11b antigens, and were sensitive to the treatment with L-leucine methyl ester. These results indicate that T3+, T8+, Leu 7+ and T4-, and Leu 11- granular lymphocytes have a spontaneous cytotoxic activity against OKT3 hybridomas which is different from classic NK activity. These findings may provide a method for the assessment of T-cell cytotoxicity mediated presumably by in vivo generated cytotoxic T lymphocytes in blood and the other immune organs.     

Tetrahydropyrrolo[3,2-c]azepin-4-ones as a new class of cytotoxic compounds

Pyrroloazepinones 8a-j and 9a-j were designed by structural modification of lead compound 3. These compounds were tested on five tumor cell lines to determine the role of the azeto ring and the 2-methyl substituent in the cytotoxicity of compound 3. Our results show that compounds 8a-j (R1=CH3) have dramatically reduced cytotoxicity, resulting from the loss of the azeto moiety of lead compound 3. By contrast, azepinones 9a-j (R1=4-nitrophenyl) inhibited the proliferation of almost all cancer cell lines tested even though they lack the azeto ring. Preliminary SAR studies with these compounds revealed the importance of halogens at the para- or meta-position of the 1-phenyl moiety. Additionally, derivatives 9a (R2=H), 9e (R2=4-F), and 9g (R2=4-OMe) were selectively cytotoxic to U-251 cells. However, none of the pyrroloazepinones inhibited the enzymatic activity of CDK1/cyclin B, CDK5/p25, and GSK-3.     

Cytoagglutination and cytotoxicity of Wheat Germ Agglutinin isolectins against normal lymphocytes and cultured leukemic cell lines--relationship between structure and biological activity

The relationships between degree of lectin-cell binding, cytotoxicity and cytoagglutinating activity of three Wheat Germ Agglutinin isolectins (WGA-1, WGA-2, WGA-3) against normal lymphocytes and cultured leukemic cell lines (Jurkat, MOLT-4, Raji, Daudi, K-562) were studied. All WGA-isolectins interacted in a similar degree with normal lymphocytes, while in the case of leukemic cells, the degree of isolectin-cell binding increased in the order: WGA-1< or =WGA-3相似文献   

Novel cytotoxic polyoxygenated steroids from an Okinawan sponge Dysidea sp

A library of extracts established from hundreds of marine organisms was screened by a cytotoxicity test. The active organic extract of an Okinawan marine sponge of the genus Dysidea was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation to give three new polyoxygenated steroids dysideasterols F-H (1-3), together with two known related compounds (4 and 5). Their structures were confirmed by NMR and mass spectroscopic analyses. A characteristic structural feature of 2, 4 and 5 is an allylic epoxide, whereas this epoxide undergoes ring-opening by a neighbouring hydroxyl group to give a tetrahydrofuran ring in 1 and 3. All compounds 1-5 exhibited a similar cytotoxic effect with IC50 values of 0.15-0.3 μM against human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, demonstrating that the allylic epoxide moiety was not responsible for this cytotoxic effect.     

Synthesis and antileukemic activity of 16E-[4-(2-carboxy)ethoxybenzylidene]-androstene amides

In order to determine the structural requirements for cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines, a new series of 16E-arylidene androstene amides with varying degrees of unsaturation in ring A has been synthesized. Characterization and invitro cytotoxic studies of the newly synthesized compounds are discussed. The compounds on evaluation against various tumor cell lines exhibited significant growth inhibition on leukemia cell lines. 3-Chloro-16E-{[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-oxoethoxy]benzylidene}androst-5-en-17-one (10) emerged as the most potent compound of the series with GI(50) values of 3.94, 2.61, 6.90 and 1.79μM against CCRF-CEM, K-562, RPMI-8226 and SR leukemia cell lines, respectively.     

3,5-bis(phenylmethylene)-1-(N-arylmaleamoyl)-4-piperidones: a novel group of cytotoxic agents

A series of novel 3,5-bis(phenylmethylene)-1-(N-arylmaleamoyl)-4-piperidones 3 have been synthesized which displayed potent cytotoxicity towards human Molt 4/C8 and CEM T-lymphocytes as well as murine P388 and L1210 leukemic cells. In contrast, the related N-arylmaleamic acids 4 possessed little or no cytotoxicity in these four screens. Molecular modeling revealed certain interplanar and bond angles and interatomic distances which were perceived to contribute to the observed bioactivity as well as providing suggestions for future structural modifications of the piperidones 3. Evaluation of representative compounds in series 3 and 4 on the activity of human N-myristoyltransferase revealed that, at the maximum concentration utilized, namely 250 microM, only weak inhibiting properties were displayed by some of the compounds in series 4. Various members of series 3 and 4 were well tolerated in mice.     

Chromone derivatives from Halenia elliptica and their anti-HBV activities

Nine water-soluble chromone derivatives, including chromone-2-carboxylic acids, 2-methylchromones and their structural hybrids, were isolated from aerial tissues of Halenia elliptica (Gentianaceae), six of which were previously unknown. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive mass, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses and chemical derivatization. Two unstable structural hybrids of chromone-2-carboxylic acids and 2-methylchromones, viz. 3-acetyl-8-hydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one-2-carboxylic acid (halenic acid C) and 2-(8-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one-3-yl)-2-oxoacetic acid (halenichromone A), were isomers and were interconvertible. The proposed mechanism of their acid-catalyzed isomerization in aqueous solvent is described. In addition, 2-methylchromones, 8-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, and 8-methoxy-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, were found to exhibit a strong inhibitory effect towards hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro without showing significant cytotoxicity.     

Comparative cytotoxicity of alachlor, acetochlor, and metolachlor herbicides in isolated rat and cryopreserved human hepatocytes

Noncancerous adverse effects observed at the lowest dose for chloroacetanilide herbicides alachlor [2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetanilide] and acetochlor [2-chloro-2'-methyl-6'-ethyl-N-(ethoxymethyl)acetanilide], but not metolachlor [2-chloro-2'-ethyl-6'-methyl-N-(1-methyl-2-methoxymethyl)acetanilide], are hepatotoxicity in rats and dogs. Liver microsomal N-dealkylation, a step in the putative activating pathway, of acetochlor exceeds that of alachlor and is negligible for metolachlor. In the present investigation, cytotoxicity of the three chloroacetanilides was ranked using isolated rat and cryopreserved human hepatocytes to correlate this endpoint with CYP3A-dependent metabolism. Chloroacetanilide cytotoxicity in rat hepatocyte suspensions was time dependent (e.g., LC(50 - alachlor/2 h) vs. LC(50 - alachlor/4 h) = 765 vs. 325 muM). Alachlor and acetochlor were more potent than metolachlor after 2 and 4 h, times when N-dealkylated alachlor product 2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)acetamide (CDEPA) formation was readily detectable. Alachlor and acetochlor potencies with cryopreserved human hepatocytes at 2 h were comparable to freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, and alachlor metabolism to CDEPA was likewise detectable. Unlike rat hepatocytes, metolachlor potency was equivalent to acetochlor and alachlor in human hepatocytes. Furthermore, chloroacetanilide cytotoxicity from two sources of human hepatocytes varied inversely with CYP3A4 activity. Collectively, while cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes was consistent with chloroacetanilide activation by CYP3A, an activating role for CYP3A4 was not supported with human hepatocytes.     

Synthesis, cytotoxic activity, and SAR analysis of the derivatives of taxchinin A and brevifoliol

Twenty-one derivatives of taxchinin A (1) and brevifoliol (2) were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity against human non-small lung cancer (A549) cell line. Nine derivatives showed potent activity with IC₅₀ values from 0.48 to 6.22 μM. 5-Oxo-13-TBDMS-taxchinin A (11) and 5-oxo-13,15-epoxy-13-epi-taxchinin A (15) are the most potent derivatives, with IC₅₀ at 0.48 and 0.75 μM, respectively. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) of these compounds established that exocyclic unsaturated ketone at ring C is the key structural element for the activity, while the ,β-unsaturated ketone positioned at ring A has no effect for the activity. The significant cytotoxicity of derivatives 11 and 15 may be due to the conformational change in the taxane rings. The 3D-QSAR study was conducted on this series of compounds, which provided optimal predictive comparative molecular field (CoMFA) model with cross-validated r² (q²) value of 0.64.     

Metabolic activation of 3-hydroxyanisole by isolated rat hepatocytes

A tyrosinase-directed therapeutic approach for malignant melanoma therapy uses the depigmenting phenolic agents such as 4-hydroxyanisole (4-HA) to form cytotoxic o-quinones. However, renal and hepatic toxicity was reported as side effects in a recent 4-HA clinical trial. In search of novel therapeutics, the cytotoxicity of the isomers 4-HA, 3-HA and 2-HA were investigated. In the following, the order of the HAs induced hepatotoxicity in mice, as measured by increased in vivo plasma transaminase activity, or in isolated rat hepatocytes, as measured by trypan blue exclusion, was 3-HA > 2-HA > 4-HA. Hepatocyte GSH depletion preceded HA induced cytotoxicity and a 4-MC-SG conjugate was identified by LC/MS/MS mass spectrometry analysis when 3-HA was incubated with NADPH/microsomes/GSH. 3-HA induced hepatocyte GSH depletion or GSH depletion when 3-HA was incubated with NADPH/microsomes was prevented by CYP 2E1 inhibitors. Dicumarol (an NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase inhibitor) potentiated 3-HA- or 4-methoxycatechol (4-MC) induced toxicity whereas sorbitol (an NADH generating nutrient) greatly prevented cytotoxicity indicating a quinone-mediated cytotoxic mechanism. Ethylendiamine (an o-quinone trap) largely prevented 3-HA and 4-MC-induced cytotoxicity indicating that o-quinone was involved in cytotoxicity. Dithiothreitol (DTT) greatly reduced 3-HA and 4-MC induced toxicity. The ferric chelator deferoxamine slightly decreased 3-HA and 4-MC induced cytotoxicity whereas the antioxidants pyrogallol or TEMPOL greatly prevented the toxicity suggesting that oxidative stress contributed to 3-HA induced cytotoxicity. In summary, ring hydroxylation but not O-demethylation/epoxidation seems to be the bioactivation pathway for 3-HA in rat liver. The cytotoxic mechanism for 3-HA and its metabolite 4-MC likely consists cellular protein alkylation and oxidative stress. These results suggest that 3-HA is not suitable for treatment of melanoma.     

Cytotoxic activity of 4'-hydroxychalcone derivatives against Jurkat cells and their effects on mammalian DNA topoisomerase I

Chalcones (1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones) are alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones with cytotoxic and anticancer properties. Several reports have shown that compounds with cytotoxic properties may also interfere with DNA topoisomerase functions. Five derivatives of 4'-hydroxychalcones were examined for cytotoxicity against transformed human T (Jurkat) cells as well as plasmid supercoil relaxation experiments using mammalian DNA topoisomerase I. The compounds were 3-phenyl-1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (I), 3-(p-methylphenyl)-1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (II), 3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (III), 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (IV), and 3-(2- thienyl)-1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (V). The order of the cytotoxicity of the compounds was; IV > III > II > I > V. Compound IV, had the highest Hammett and log P values (0.23 and 4.21, respectively) and exerted both highest cytotoxicity and strongest DNA topoisomerase I inhibition. Compounds I and II gave moderate interference with the DNA topoisomerase I while III & V did not interfere with the enzyme.