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Molnár B, Gopisetty MK, Nagy FI, Adamecz DI, Kása Z, Kiricsi M, Frank É. Efficient access to domain-integrated estradiol-flavone hybrids via the corresponding chalcones and their in vitro anticancer potential. Steroids 2022; 187:109099. [PMID: 35970223 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2022.109099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Structural modification of the phenolic A-ring of estrogens at C-2 and/or C-3 significantly reduces or eliminates the hormonal effects of the compounds, thus the incorporation of other pharmacophores into these positions can provide biologically active derivatives suitable for new indications, without possessing unwanted side effects. As part of this work, A-ring integration of estradiol with chalcones and flavones was carried out in the hope of obtaining novel molecular hybrids with anticancer action. The syntheses were performed from 2-acetylestradiol-17β-acetate which was first reacted with various (hetero)aromatic aldehydes in a pyrrolidine-catalyzed reaction in DMSO. The chalcones thus obtained were then subjected to oxidative cyclization with I2 in DMSO to afford estradiol-flavone hybrids in good yields. All newly synthesized derivatives were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity on human malignant cell lines of diverse origins as well as on a non-cancerous cell line, and the results demonstrated that estradiol-flavone hybrids containing a structure-integrated flavone moiety were the most active and cancer cell-selective agents. The minimal inhibitory concentration values (IC50) were calculated for selected compounds (3c, 3d and 3e) and their apoptosis inducing capacity was verified by RT-qPCR (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction). The results suggest an important structure-activity relationship regarding estradiol-flavone hybrids that could form a promising synthetic platform and rationale for future drug developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnabás Molnár
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Doctoral School of Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mohana K Gopisetty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence, Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ferenc István Nagy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dóra Izabella Adamecz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Kása
- Material and Solution Structure Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, University of Szeged, Aradi Vértanúk tere 1, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mónika Kiricsi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Éva Frank
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Doctoral School of Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
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