Synthesis and antibacterial properties of new N4-acetylated hexahydro-2,7-dioxopyrido[2,3-f]quinoxaline-8-carboxylic acids

Direct interaction between 7-chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid and primary α-amino acids (exemplified by glycine, alanine, and l-valine) in aqueous ethanolic NaHCO(3) at 70-80°C for 24-72?h produced the respective N-(4-oxoquinolin-7-yl)-α-amino acids (6a-c). The latter derivatives underwent reductive lactamization upon treatment with Na(2)S(2)O(4) in aqueous ethanol to afford moderate yields of the corresponding pyrido[2,3-f]quinoxaline-8-carboxylic acids (8a-c). Acetylation of 8a-c using acetyl chloride afforded N(4)-acetylated hexahydro-2,7-dioxopyrido[2,3-f]quinoxaline-8-carboxylic acids (9a-c). The structures, assigned to these new heterocyclic products, are supported by analytical and spectral data. The synthesized compounds (6a-c/9a-c) showed appreciable antibacterial activity as compared with ciprofloxacin.     

Synthesis of Base Substituted 2-Hydroxy-3-(purin-9-yl)-propanoic Acids and 4-(Purin-9-yl)-3-butenoic Acids

Abstract

Alkylation of 6-chloropurine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with bromoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal afforded 6-chloro-9-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)purine (3a) and its 2-amino congener (3b). Treatment of compounds 3 with primary and secondary amines gave the N⁶-substituted adenines (5a–5c) and 2,6-diaminopurines (5d–5f). Hydrolysis of 3 resulted in hypoxanthine (6a) and guanine (6b) derivatives, while their reaction with thiourea led to 6-sulfanylpurine (7a) and 2-amino-6-sulfanylpurine (7b) compounds. Treatment with diluted acid followed by potassium cyanide treatment and acid hydrolysis afforded 6-substituted 3-(purin-9-yl)- and 3-(2-aminopurin-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropanoic acids (8–10). Reaction of compounds 3 with malonic acid in aqueous solution gave exclusively the product of isomerisation, 6-substituted 4-(purin-9-yl)-3-butenoic acids (15).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of tetracyclic fluoroquinolones as antibacterial and anticancer agents

A simple and efficient synthesis of 6-fluoro-4-oxopyrido[2,3-a]carbazole-3-carboxylic acids (13a–e) and a structurally related 6-fluoro-4-oxothieno[2′,3′:4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-h]quinoline (13f) was achieved via Stille arylation of 7-chloro-6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate and a subsequent microwave-assisted phosphite-mediated Cadogan reaction. The new compounds were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity. The ability of 13a–f to inhibit the activity of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV was also investigated. The thieno isostere (13f) emerged as the most active antibacterial, while the 9-fluoro derivative (13e) was the most potent against multidrug-resistant staphylococci. Compounds 13a, 13c–f displayed growth inhibition against MCF-7 breast tumor and A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells coupled with an absence of cytotoxicity toward normal human-derm fibroblasts (HuDe). Compound 13e was the most active anticancer against MCF-7 cells, with greater potency than ellipticine (IC₅₀ 0.8 and 1.6 μM, respectively). The most active compounds in this series show promise as dual acting anticancer and antibacterial chemotherapeutics.     

Synthesis of Certain Acyclic Nucleoside Analogs of 1,2,4-Triazolo[3,4-f][1,2,4]triazine and Pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine

Abstract

Synthesis of 2-penten-1-yl (8a) and ganciclovir analog (8b) of 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-f][1,2,4]triazine was accomplished by the ring annulation of the corresponding hydrazides (6a and 6b), which in turn was obtained by the dehydrative coupling of 4 with 5a or 5b. Base catalysed ring expansion of N9-alkylpurine-6-carbonitriles (10a 10c 10e) provided the acyclic analogs of 4-aminopyrimido-[5,4-d]pyrimidines (13a 13d 13e). Debenzylation of 13e afforded the ganciclovir analog (13f) of 4-amino-8-(β-D-ribofuranosylamino)-pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine. However, compound 10b did not undergo the expected rearrangement but resulted in the formation of the methyl formimidate derivative (12).     

Synthesis and PreliminaryIn Vitro Evaluation of Antimycobacterial Activity of New Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline-carboxylic Acid Hydrazide Derivatives

New pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline-2- or -4-carboxylic acid hydrazide derivatives were synthesized from nitroaniline or 1,2-phenylenediamine, and evaluated in vitro for their antimycobacterial activity as part of a TAACF TB screening program. Two compounds 7c and 13 showed an interesting activity at 6.25?μg/mL against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv, with a 94 and 100 percentage inhibition, respectively.     

Synthesis and in vivo diuretic activity of some new benzothiazole sulfonamides containing quinoxaline ring system

A series of new 6-substituted-N-[3-{2-(substituted phenyl)-ethenyl} quinoxaline-2(1H)-ylidene]-1,3-benzothiazole-2-amine (4a–f) were designed and synthesized by condensing 2-amino-benzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid amide (1) with chalcones of quinoxaline-2-one (3a–f) in a hope to obtain promising and a new class of diuretic agents. Structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral data and elemental analysis. The pharmacological studies in experimental rats indicates that compound 4c possesses excellent in vivo diuretic activity of 1.13 and appears to be a better diuretic agent than the reference drugs, acetazolamide (1.0) and urea (0.88). Insight of the binding mode of the synthesized compounds (ligand) into the binding sites of carbonic anhydrase enzyme (PDF code: 4KUV) was provided by docking studies, performed with the help of Maestro 9.0 docking software. Further pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies are needed to confirm the safety of compound 4c which emerged as a lead diuretic compound.     

Novel N-quinonyl amino acids and their transformation to 3-substituted p-isoxazinones

Summary. Quinonyl amino acids are building blocks in the preparation of peptides which target the quinonic drug to cancer damaged area. Novel N-(3-chloro-1,4-dihydro-1,4-dioxonaphthalen-2-yl)-α-amino acids 1a–f were prepared by direct substitution of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone. The quinonic moiety was reduced by NaBH₄ to yield the corresponding hydroquinones 2a–f, which in acidic conditions underwent internal cyclization to yield the 3,4-dihydro-2H-naphth[1,2-b]-1,4-oxazine-2-ones (six-membered azlactones) 3a–f. Received February 2, 2000 Accepted March 29, 2000     

Synthesis of new pyridothienopyrimidinone derivatives as Pim-1 inhibitors

Four series of pyridothienopyrimidin-4-one derivatives were designed and prepared to improve the pim-1 inhibitory activity of the previously reported thieno[2,3-b]pyridines. Significant improvement in the pim-1 inhibition and cytotoxic activity was achieved using structure rigidification strategy via ring closure. Six compounds (6c, 7a, 7c, 7d, 8b and 9) showed highly potent pim-1 inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ of 4.62, 1.18, 1.38, 1.97, 8.83 and 4.18?μM, respectively. Four other compounds (6b, 6d, 7b and 8a) showed moderate pim-1 inhibition. The most active compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity on three cell lines [MCF7, HCT116 and PC3]. Compounds 7a [the 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro derivative] and 7d [the 2-(2-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-2,3-dihydro derivative] displayed the most potent cytotoxic effect on the three cell lines tested consistent with their highest estimated pim-1 IC₅₀ values.     

Synthesis,antitumour and antioxidant activities of novel α,β-unsaturated ketones and related heterocyclic analogues: EGFR inhibition and molecular modelling study

New α,β-unsaturated ketones 4a,b; 5a–c; and 6a,b; as well as 4-H pyran 7; pyrazoline 8a,b; isoxazoline 9; pyridine 10–11; and quinoline-4-carboxylic acid 12a,b derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antitumour activity against HepG2, MCF-7, HeLa, and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Antioxidant activity was investigated by the ability of these compounds to scavenge the 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS^?+). Compounds 6a, 6b, 7, and 8b exhibited potent antitumour activities against all tested cell lines with [IC₅₀] ?5.5–18.1 µΜ), in addition to significantly high ABTS^?+ scavenging activities. In vitro EGFR kinase assay for 6a, 6b, 7, and 8b as the most potent antitumour compounds showed that; compounds 6b, and 7 exhibited worthy EGFR inhibition activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.56 and 1.6?µM, respectively, while compounds 6a and 8b showed good inhibition activity with IC₅₀ values of 4.66 and 2.16?µM, respectively, compared with sorafenib reference drug (IC₅₀?=?1.28?µM). Molecular modelling studies for compounds 6b, 7, and 8b were conducted to exhibit the binding mode towards EGFR kinase, which showed similar interaction with erlotinib.     

Fluorescent cytokinins: Stretched-out analogs of N6-benzyladenine and N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl) adenine

We have synthesized and compared the cytokinin activities in the tobacco bioassay of a series of benzologs of 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine (N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl)adenine) (1a) and 6-benzylaminopurine (N⁶-benzyl-adenine) (1c). The linear benzo analogs 8-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)imidazo[4,5-g]quinazoline (2b) and 8-benzyla-minoimidazo[4,5-g]quinazoline (2c) are active, while 9-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline (3b) and 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)imidazo[4,5-h]quinazoline (4b) are slightly active and 9-benzylaminoimidazo[4,5-f]-quinazoline (3c) and 6-benzylaminoimidazo[4,5-h]quinazoline (4c) are inactive. Compounds 2b and 2c represent the first examples of active cytokinins containing a tri-heterocyclic moiety. The above series of compounds demonstrates structural factors that affect cytokinin activity. These compounds also have interesting fluorescence properties which could render them useful as probes to study the mechanism of cytokinin action.     

Synthesis of 3-Aminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyrazole Nucleoside via the N-N Bond Formation Strategy as a [5:5] Fused Analog of Adenosine

3-Amino-6-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[4,5-c]pyrazole (2) was synthesized via an N-N bond formation strategy by a mononuclear heterocyclic rearrangement (MHR). A series of 5-amino-1-(5-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-D-ribofuranosyl-4-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)imidaz-oles (6a-d), with different substituents at the 5-position of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole, were synthesized from 5-amino-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carboxamide (AICA Ribose, 3). It was found that 5-amino-1-(5-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)imidazole (6a) underwent the MHR with sodium hydride in DMF or DMSO to afford the corresponding 3-acetamidoimidazo[4,5-c]pyrazole nucleoside(s) (7b and/or 7a) in good yields. A direct removal of the acetyl group from 3-acetamidoimidazo[4,5-c]pyrazoles under numerous conditions was unsuccessful. Subsequent protecting group manipulations afforded the desired 3-amino-6-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[4,5-c]pyrazole (2) as a 5:5 fused analog of adenosine (1).     

Novel pyrimidine-pyridine hybrids: Synthesis,cyclooxygenase inhibition,anti-inflammatory activity and ulcerogenic liability

Some derivatives containing pyrido[2,3-d:6,5d′]dipyrimidine-4,5-diones (9a-f), tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carbonitriles (11a-c) and 6-(4-acetylphenyl)-2-thioxo-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-4-one (12) were synthesized from 6-amino-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrimidin-4-one (8). The anti-inflammatory effect of these candidates was determined and the ulcer indices were calculated for active compounds. 7-Amino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidine-6-carbonitrile (11c) exhibited better edema inhibition than celecoxib. Moreover, compounds 9b, 9d and 11c revealed better COX-2 inhibitory activity in a range (IC₅₀ = 0.25–0.89 µM) than celecoxib (IC₅₀ = 1.11 µM). Regarding ulcerogenic liability, all of the compounds under the study were less ulcerogenic than indomethacin. Molecular docking studies had been carried on active candidates 9d and 11c to explore action mode of these candidates as leads for discovering other anti-inflammatory agents.     

N6-dipeptide derivatives of N12-ribosyl-indolo[2,3-a]carbazole

N6-derivatives of N12-indolo[2,3-a]pirrolo[3,4-c]carbazole-5,7-dione are synthesized as potential antitumor agents. The pyrrol N6 atom of these compounds is included into the dipeptide residue of the general formula >N6-(CH₂) _n -CO-Ala/βAla-OMe (n = 2 or 3). These compounds are synthesized by the reaction in DMF at 130°C between 13-methyl-12-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribopyranosyl)indolo[2,3-a]furano[3,4-c]carbazole-5,7-dione and dipeptides containing the free N-terminal amino group. The nitrogen atom of the peptide amino group replaces O6 in the furan ring and is embedded as the N6 imide nitrogen atom of pyrrol. The ability of the compounds obtained to inhibit the growth of the SKOV3 human ovarian carcinoma cells was studied. The only derivative containing the >N6-(CH₂)₃-CO-L-Ala-OMe radical showed the cytotoxic activity with an inhibitory concentration of IC₅₀ = 8 μM.     

Insights into biological activity of ureidoamides with primaquine and amino acid moieties

Primaquine (PQ) ureidoamides 5a–f were screened for antimicrobial, biofilm eradication and antioxidative activities. Susceptibility of the tested microbial species towards tested compounds showed species- and compound-dependent activity. N-(diphenylmethyl)-2-[({4-[(6-methoxyquinolin-8-yl)amino]pentyl}carbamoyl)amino]-4-methylpentanamide (5a) and 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(diphenylmethyl)-2-[({4-[(6-methoxyquinolin-8-yl)amino]pentyl}carbamoyl)amino]acetamide (5d) showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus strains (MIC?=?6.5?µg/ml). Further, compounds 5c and 5d had weak antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. None of the tested compounds showed a wide spectrum of antifungal activity. In contrast, most of the compounds exerted strong activity in a biofilm eradication assay against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and Candida albicans, comparable to or even higher than gentamycin, amphotericin B or parent PQ. The most active compounds were 5a and 5b. Tested compounds were inactive against biofilm formation by C. parapsylosis, Enterococcus faecalis, C. tropicalis and C. krusei. Compounds 5b–f significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation (80–99%), whereas compound 5c presented interesting LOX inhibition.     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled 4-(phenylamino)-pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine derivatives as new potential PET tracers for imaging of p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase

The reference standards methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(methoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate (10a), methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(ethoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate (10b) and corresponding precursors 4-(2-methyl-5-(methoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylic acid (11a), methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(ethoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylic acid (11b) were synthesized from methyl crotonate and 3-amino-4-methylbenzoic acid in multiple steps with moderate to excellent yields. The target tracer [¹¹C]methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(methoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate ([¹¹C]10a) and [¹¹C]methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(ethoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate ([¹¹C]10b) were prepared from their corresponding precursors with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf under basic condition through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by a simplified solid-phase extraction (SPE) method in 50–60% radiochemical yields at end of bombardment (EOB) with 185–555 GBq/μmol specific activity at end of synthesis (EOS).     

柯拉斯那沉香的生物活性成分研究

为了解柯拉斯那(Aquilaria crassna)的化学成分,从其所产沉香中分离得到10个化合物,经波谱分析分别鉴定为:6,8-羟基-2-(2-苯乙基)色酮(1),6,8-二羟基-2-[2-(4-甲氧基苯)乙基]色酮(2),rel-(1a R,2R,3R,7b S)-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-5-(2-phenylethyl)-7H-oxireno[f][1]benzopyran-7-one(3),rel-(1a R,2R,3R,7b S)-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-7H-oxireno[f][1]benzopyran-7-one(4),rel-(1a R,2R,3R,7b S)-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-5-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-7H-oxireno[f][1]benzopyran-7-one(5),oxidoagarochromone B(6),oxidoagarochromone C(7),(5S,6R,7S,8R)-2-[2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone(8),6,7-cis-dihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone(9),N-trans-feruloyltyramine(10)。化合物3~5和8~10为首次从柯拉斯那沉香中分离得到。化合物1,3,6,7,9和10对乙酰胆碱酯酶具有一定的抑制活性,化合物4对人慢性髓原白血病细胞株K-562和人胃癌细胞株SGC-7901均具有较小的抑制作用,化合物1和3对人肝癌细胞株BEL-7402也有抑制活性。     

Synthesis of novel selenium containing sulfa drugs and their antibacterial activities

Synthesis of 3-[4-(N-substituted sulfamoyl)phenyl]-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7,9-dimethylpyri-do[3′,2′:4,5]selenolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines,7-[4-(N-substituted sulfamoyl)phenyl]-7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-3,4-diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]selenolo [2,3-c]pyridazines and 1-[4-(N-substituted sulfamoyl)phenyl]-1,11-dihydro 11-oxo-4-methylpyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]selenolo[2,3-b]quinolines is reported. 4-Amino-N-pyrimidine-2-ylbenzene sulfonamide (a), 4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl)benzene sulfonamide (b), N-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl] acetamide (c) with N-ethoxymethyleneamino of selenolo pyridine, selenolo pyridazine and selenolo quinoline derivatives respectively were obtained starting from 1-amino-N ⁴-substituted sulfanilamides. Spectroscopic data (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and Mass spectral) confirmed the structure of the newly synthesized compounds. Substituted pyrimidines, pyridazines and quinolines were screened for antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Selenolo derivative of N-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl] acetamide (substitutent of sulfacetamide c) showed strong bactericidal effect against all the tested organisms. Selenolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin (substitutent a) showed a good bactericidal effect against Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Compounds selenolo[2,3-c]pyridazine (substitutent b), selenolo[2,3-b]quinoline(substitutents c)) exhibited a moderate bactericidal effect against Serratia marcescens. None of the synthesized seleno pyridazines has a considerable antimicrobial activity against the tested organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the most active compound-3-[4-(N-acetyl sulfamoyl)phenyl]-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7,9-dimethylpyrido[3′,2′:4,5]selenolo [3,2-d]pyrimidine was 10 mg ml⁻¹.     

Synthesis of new 4-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline and 5-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine derivatives,as potential bacterial multidrug resistance pump inhibitors

The synthesis of new 4-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives 1a-l is described in five or six steps starting from various substituted nitroanilines 2a-e. The bioisostere 5-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine 1m was also prepared. The new derivatives were evaluated as efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) in a model targeting the NorA system of Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotic susceptibility of two strains overproducing NorA, SA-1199B and SA-1, was determined alone and in combination with the neo-synthesised compounds by the agar diffusion method and MIC determination, in comparison with reserpine and omeprazole taken as reference EPIs. A preliminary structure-activity relationship study firstly allowed to clarify the influence of the substituents at positions 7 and/or 8 of the pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline nucleus. Methoxy substituted compounds, 1b and 1g, were more potent EPIs than the unsubstituted compounds (1a and 1f), followed by chlorinated derivatives (1c-d and 1h). Moreover, the replacement of the N,N-diethylamino group (compounds 1a-e) by a bioisostere such as pyrrolidine (compounds 1f-h) enhanced the EPI activity, in contrast with the replacement by a piperidine moiety (compounds 1i-k). Finally, the pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine compound 1m exhibited a higher EPI activity than its pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline analogue 1a, opening the way to further pharmacomodulation.     

Synthesis of 4-substituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(1H)-one as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents

4-Substituted-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones 4a–c were synthesized by oxidation of 4-substituted-dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones 3a–c which were in turn prepared from arylidenemalononitriles 1a–c and 6-aminothiouracil 2. The reactivity of compounds 4a–c towards some reagents such as formamide, carbon disulfide, urea, thiourea, formic and acetic acids were studied. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means and elemental analysis. Compound 4c exhibited 64% and 72% analgesic activity. Also, compound 4b showed 50% and 65% anti-inflammatory activity. Interestingly these compounds showed one-third of ulcer index of the reference aspirin and diclofenac.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of 6-aryl-11-iminoindeno[1,2-c]quinoline derivatives

A number of 6-aryl-11-iminoindeno[1,2-c]quinoline derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities. Among them, (E)-6-{4-[3-(dimethylamino)propoxy]phenyl}-2-fluoro-9-hydroxy-11H-indeno[1,2-c]quinolin-11-one O-3-(dimethylamino)propyl oxime (23a) was the most active, exhibited GI₅₀ values of 0.64, 0.39, 0.55, 0.67, and 0.65 μM against the growth of Hep G2, Hep 3B, A549, H1299, and MDA-MB-231, respectively. Compound 23a inhibited the growth of hepatoma cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The proportion of cells was decreased in the G1 and accumulated in G2/M phase after 12 h treatment of 23a, while the hypodiploid (sub-G0/G1 phase) cells increased. Further investigations have shown that 23a induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis via activation of p53, Bax, and caspase-8 which consequently cause cell death.