Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel steroidal spiro-oxindoles as potent antiproliferative agents

Dehydroepiandrosterone-α-2-Deoxyglucoside Exhibits Enhanced Anticancer Effects in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and Inhibits Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity

In the pentose phosphate pathway, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) uncompetitively inhibits glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), reducing NADPH production and increasing oxidative stress, which can influence the onset and/or progression of several diseases, including cancer. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a glucose mimetic, competes with glucose for cellular uptake, inhibiting glycolysis and competing with glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) for G6PD activity. In this study, we report that DHEA-α-2-DG (5), an α-covalent conjugate of DHEA and 2-DG, exhibits better anticancer activity than DHEA, 2-DG, DHEA +2-DG, and polydatin in MCF-7 cells, and reduces NADPH/NADP+ ratio in cellular assays. In vitro enzyme kinetics and molecular docking studies showed that 5 uncompetitively inhibits human G6PD activity and binds to the structural NADP+ site but not to the catalytic NADP+ site. Further combining 5 with the FDA-approved drug tamoxifen enhanced its cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells, suggesting that it could serve as a candidate for combination of drug strategies.

Syntheses and medicinal chemistry of spiro heterocyclic steroids

There is compelling evidence that incorporating a heterocyclic moiety into a steroid can alter its pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties, driving intense interest in the synthesis of such hybrids among research groups. In this review, we present an overview of recent synthetic methodologies, spanning the period from 2000 to 2023, for the preparation of spiro heterocyclic steroids. The compounds surveyed encompass four-, five-, six-, and seven-membered heterocycles appended to various positions of steroidal backbones, with spirocycles containing oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur atoms being predominant. The outlined synthetic procedures emphasize the pivotal steps for constructing the heterocycles, often accompanied by a detailed account of the overall synthesis pathway. The review encompasses innovative compounds, including bis-steroids linked by a spiro heterocycle and steroids conjugated to heterocyclic moieties containing three or more (hetero)cycles. Moreover, many compounds are accompanied by data on their biological activities, such as antiproliferative, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antifungal, steroid antagonist, and enzyme inhibition, among others, aimed at furnishing pertinent insights for the future design of more potent and selective drugs.

An efficient one-pot synthesis and docking studies of bioactive new antiproliferative dispiro[oxindole/acenaphthylenone‒benzofuranone] pyrrolidine scaffolds

A new and efficient method has been developed to synthesize dispiro[oxindole/acenaphthylenone-benzofuranone]pyrrolidine compounds. This is done by triggering the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides by reacting isatin/acenaphthoquinone with L-picolinic acid/L-proline/sarcosine/L-thioproline/tetrahydroisoquinolines, in a highly regioselective manner in an ionic liquid [DBU][Ac] with 4'-chloro-auron[2-(4-chlorobenzylidene)benzofuran-3(2H)-one]. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data support the proposed structures of the new compounds. The heterocycles derived from amino acids such as L-picolinic acid, L-proline, and L-thioproline showed significant inhibitory effects against six human solid tumors, including lung, breast, cervix, colon, and others. These new structures were also tested in the active sites of the MDM2 receptor to further study their antiproliferative effects.

Synthesis, antiproliferative evaluation and in silico studies of a novel steroidal spiro morpholinone

Estrogens play a pivotal role in the development of estrogen-dependent breast cancer and other hormone-dependent disorders. A common strategy to overcome the pathological effects of estrogens is the use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), which bind to the enzyme and prevent the union with the natural substrate, decreasing the amount of estrogens produced. Several AIs have been developed, including inhibitors with a steroidal backbone and a nitrogen heterocycle in their structure. Encouraged by the notable results presented by current and clinical steroidal drugs, herein we present the synthesis of a steroidal spiro morpholinone derivative as a plausible aromatase inhibitor. The morpholinone derivative was synthesized over a six-step methodology starting from estrone. The title compound and its hydroxychloroacetamide derivative precursor were evaluated for their antiproliferative profile against estrogen-dependent and independent solid tumor cell lines: A549, HBL-100, HeLa, SW1573, T-47D and WiDr. Both compounds exhibited a potent antiproliferative activity in the micromolar range against the six cancer cell lines, with the hydroxychloroacetamide derivative precursor being a more potent inhibitor (GI₅₀ = 0.25-2.4 µM) than the morpholinone derivative (GI₅₀ = 2.0-11 µM). Furthermore, both compounds showed, in almost all cases, better GI₅₀ values than the steroidal anticancer drugs abiraterone and galeterone. Docking simulations of the derivatives were performed in order to explain the experimental biological activity. The results showed interactions with the iron heme (derivative 3) and important residues of the steroidal binding-site (Met374) for the inhibition of human aromatase. A correlation was found between in vitro assays and the score obtained from the molecular docking study.

Applications of novel composite UiO-66-NH2/Melamine with phosphorous acid tags as a porous and efficient catalyst for the preparation of novel spiro-oxindoles

A new approach for the incorporation of phosphorous acid tags into a metal organic framework based on UiO-66-NH2/Melamine was introduced. This new catalyst was applied to the preparation of novel spiro-oxindoles under mild and green conditions.

Coumarins and Gastrointestinal Cancer: A New Therapeutic Option?

Cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are often life-threatening malignancies, which can be a severe burden to the health care system. Globally, the mortality rate from gastrointestinal tumors has been increasing due to the lack of adequate diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic measures to combat these tumors. Coumarin is a natural product with remarkable antitumor activity, and it is widely found in various natural plant sources. Researchers have explored coumarin and its related derivatives to investigate their antitumor activity, and the potential molecular mechanisms involved. These mechanisms include hormone antagonists, alkylating agents, inhibitors of angiogenesis, inhibitors of topoisomerase, inducers of apoptosis, agents with antimitotic activity, telomerase inhibitors, inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrase, as well as other potential mechanisms. Consequently, drug design and discovery scientists and medicinal chemists have collaborated to identify new coumarin-related agents in order to produce more effective antitumor drugs against GI cancers. Herein, we summarize the therapeutic effects of coumarin and its derivatives against GI cancer.

Highlights on Steroidal Arylidene Derivatives as a Source of Pharmacologically Active Compounds: A Review

Steroids constitute a unique class of chemical compounds, playing an important role in physiopathological processes, and have high pharmacological interest. Additionally, steroids have been associated with a relatively low toxicity and high bioavailability. Nowadays, multiple steroidal derivatives are clinically available for the treatment of numerous diseases. Moreover, different structural modifications on their skeleton have been explored, aiming to develop compounds with new and improved pharmacological properties. Thus, steroidal arylidene derivatives emerged as a relevant example of these modifications. This family of compounds has been mainly described as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and aromatase inhibitors, as well as neuroprotective and anticancer agents. Besides, due to their straightforward preparation and intrinsic chemical reactivity, steroidal arylidene derivatives are important synthetic intermediates for the preparation of other compounds, particularly bearing heterocyclic systems. In fact, starting from arylidenesteroids, it was possible to develop bioactive steroidal pyrazolines, pyrazoles, pyrimidines, pyridines, spiro-pyrrolidines, amongst others. Most of these products have also been studied as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents, as well as 5α-reductase and aromatase inhibitors. This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of steroidal arylidene derivatives described in the literature, highlighting their bioactivities and importance as synthetic intermediates for other pharmacologically active compounds.

A review on steroid dimers: 2011-2019

The first review article on steroid dimers by Li and Dias in 1997, followed by the second review and a book on steroid dimers by Nahar and Sarker in 2007 and 2012, respectively, covered steroid dimers reported until the end of 2010. Since then, there have been considerable amounts of research carried out on steroid dimers, prompting the need for another comprehensive review on this topic. Therefore, this present review appraises the literature published during the period 2011-2019 on various aspects of steroid dimers, including isolation from natural sources, synthesis and applications. A structured and systematic literature search was performed, using the key words: steroid dimer, steroidal dimer, dimeric steroid, bis-steroid, bis-steroidal conjugates, molecular umbrella, cephalostatins, ritterazines and crellastatins. Several databases like Web of Knowledge, Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar were consulted. During the period covered in this review, well over 200 new synthetic steroidal dimers, ring A-ring A connection being the major group, have been reported, only one natural steroid dimer has been isolated, and potential applications of steroid dimers in the treatment of cancers and tumors, and microbial infections have been indicated.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Two Series of Novel A-Ring Fused Steroidal Pyrazines as Potential Anticancer Agents

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, different heterocyclic systems have been introduced into the steroid nucleus to significantly enhance the antitumor activities of steroid molecules. However, in this study, few literature precedents describing the pyrazine heterocyclic-condensed modification to an A-ring of steroid monomers were found, although the pyrazine group is thought to be essential for the potent anticancer activity of clinically relevant drugs and natural steroid dimers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two series of novel A-ring fused steroidal pyrazines were designed and efficiently synthesized from commercially available progesterone via key α-ketoenol intermediates. Through a cell counting kit-8 cytotoxic assay of 36 derivatives for three tumor cells, 14 compounds displayed significant antiproliferative activity compared to 5-fluorouracil, especially for human prostatic tumor cells (PC-3) in vitro. Further mechanistic studies indicated that the most active compound, 12n (IC₅₀, 0.93 μM; SI, 28.71), could induce the cell apoptosis of PC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner and cause cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. The molecular docking study suggested that compound 12n fitted the active sites of cytochrome P450 17A1 (6CIZ) well.

CONCLUSIONS

12n might serve as a promising lead compound for the development of novel anticancer drugs. This facile ring-closing strategy may provide a novel and promising avenue for the cycloaddition reaction of the steroidal skeleton through α-ketoenol intermediates.

Design, Synthesis and Antimicrobial Study of Novel 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2- yl)-3-chloro-4H-spiro[azetidine-2,3'-indole]-2',4(1'H)-diones Through Ketene– imine Cycloaddition Reaction

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The present study deals with the synthesis of novel 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-chloro-4Hspiro[ azetidine-2,3'-indole]-2',4(1'H)-dione derivatives from the reaction of 3-(1,3-benzothiazol-2- ylimino)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one derivatives with chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine (TEA). The mechanism involved simple acid or base catalysed reaction through the formation of Schiff base followed by cyclisation via ketene–imine cycloaddition reaction. All synthesized compounds were characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized derivatives 5a-5g were examined via Micro Broth Dilution method against bacterial strains Bacillius subtilis, Staphylcoccus aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and fungal strain Candida albicans for determining MIC values. Ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and griseofulvin were used as standard drugs.

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The MIC values for antimicrobial activity of synthesized compounds were examined using Micro Broth Dilution method. Compounds 5a, 5b, and 5c were found effective against E. coli (MTCC 442) and P.aeruginosa (MTCC 441) and all compounds showed moderate to excellent activity against Streptococcus aureus (MTCC 96) and Bacillius subtilis (MTCC 441). Regarding the antifungal screening, compounds 5a, 5b, and 5c exhibited excellent activity against Candida albicans MTCC 227. 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-chloro-4H-spiro[azetidine-2,3'-indole]-2',4(1'H)-dione derivatives may be used as potential lead molecules as effective antimicrobial agents.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new steroidal β-triazoly enones as potent antiproliferative agents

β-Triazoly enones are biologically interesting scaffolds, incorporation of such scaffolds into the steroid nucleus may generate new bioactive steroids and further enrich structural types of steroids. In this work, a series of new steroidal β-triazoly enones were synthesized based on click chemistry and Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction and further evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cells. Most of these compounds showed better potency against PC-3 and MGC-803 cells. Particularly, compound 5a inhibited PC-3 and MGC-803 cells potently with the IC₅₀ values of 1.61 and 1.16 μM, respectively, and was less toxic toward GES-1 with an IC₅₀ value of 20.72 μM. Further mechanistic studies showed that compound 5a inhibited migration and invasion of MGC-803 and PC-3 dose-dependently. Treatment with compound 5a varied mRNA levels and protein expression of EMT markers in both cells. Collectively, the steroidal β-triazoly enones could be potentially utilized to develop new anticancer agents with the ability of inhibiting cell migration and invasion.

Synthesis of benzosuberone-tethered spirooxindoles: 1-3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and arylidene benzosuberones

Expedient synthesis of benzosuberone-tethered spirooxindoles was accomplished by a three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between azomethine ylide (generated in situ) and arylidene benzosuberone. This protocol offers good yield and wide functional group tolerance under mild reaction condition with high regio- and stereoselectivities.

Steroidal dimer by001 inhibits proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells via multiple mechanisms

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential inhibitory effects of structurally novel steroidal dimer by001 in esophageal cancer in vitro.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of by001 on esophageal, gastric, neuroblastoma and prostate cancer cells was examined MTT assay and colony formation assay. By001 induced apoptosis and production of intracellular reactive oxygen species on esophageal cancer cells Ec109, TE-1 and human normal gastric epithelial cells GES-1 was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of by001 on mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by fluorescence microscope through JC-1 staining. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species was measured by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry via DCFH-DA staining. The effect of by001 on members of Bcl-2 family, Fas, LC3, PARP and caspases was determined by Western blot. The effect of by001 on migration was measured by transwell assay.

RESULTS

By001 effectively inhibited proliferation of esophageal, gastric, neuroblastoma and prostate cancer cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in vitro. By001 reduced the number and the size of colonies at low micromolar concentrations, elevated cellular ROS levels and caused mitochondrial dysfunction in esophageal cancer cells. Molecular mechanistic studies showed that by001 triggered apoptosis through regulating members of Bcl-2 family and Fas.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that by001 may inhibited proliferation of esophageal cancer cells through mitochondria and death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathways, autophagy induction, as well as suppressed migration of esophageal cancer cells.

Synthesis of Cholestan -3-One Derivatives Possessing a C-2 Spiro-Oxindole Substituent

A series of C-2 cholestan-3-one spiro-oxindole derivatives were prepared by the 1:3 dipolar cycloaddition reaction between the cholestan-3-one substituted by a C-2 arylidene and the azomethine ylid derived from isatin and sarcosine. The dipolarophiles were efficiently obtained by a Claisen-Schmidt reaction of cholestan-3-one and aromatic aldehydes. The structures of the products were established by a combination of NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and X-ray data analysis.

A practical green approach to diversified spirochromene/spiropyran scaffolds via a glucose–water synergy driven organocatalytic system

Development of a versatile, new glucose–water organocatalytic system promoted, one pot, practical green method for the synthesis of diversified spirochromenes/spiropyrans is reported.

Synthesis of monomeric and dimeric steroids containing [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

The synthesis of several monomeric and dimeric steroidal [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines (TPs) derived from steroids are described. These derivatives were prepared from α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds through a Claisen Schmidt condensation and rearrangement of the spiro moiety followed by a cycloaddition with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. The antiproliferative activity of compounds 7, 13-15 was tested against human cancer cells; several IG₅₀ values were below 10μM.

Solvent-free synthesis of novel steroidal 2-aminopyridines

The synthesis of novel steroidal 3-cyano-2-aminopyridines using enaminonitrile and various primary amines was established under solvent-free condition. Structures of the new compounds were characterized by MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR data and the structure of 2-aminopyridine of the product 5b was further confirmed by X-ray analysis. The reaction mechanism was proposed on the basis of the key intermediate obtained. The adjacent amine and nitrile groups existed in the final products have the potential for late stage functionalization, which would provide efficient access to steroidal compound collections with structural diversity and complexity.

Structurally novel steroidal spirooxindole by241 potently inhibits tumor growth mainly through ROS-mediated mechanisms

Cancer cells always have increased ROS levels, thus making them more vulnerable to persistent endogenous oxidative stress. The biochemical difference between cancer and normal cells could be exploited to achieve selective cancer cell killing by exogenous ROS-producing agents. Herein we described a structurally novel steroidal spirooxindole by241 and its anticancer efficacy. By241 exhibited potent inhibition against human cancer cells and less toxic to normal cells. By241 concentration-dependently induced apoptosis of MGC-803 and EC9706 cells, accompanied with the mitochondrial dysfunction and increased ROS levels. NAC can completely restore the decreased cell viability of MGC-803 cells caused by by241, suggesting ROS-mediated mechanisms. The expression levels of proteins involved in the mitochondrion-related pathways were detected, showing increased expression of proapoptotic proteins and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, and activation of caspases-9/-3, but without activating caspase-8 expression. Pretreatment with Z-VAD-FMK partially rescued by241-induced apoptosis of MGC-803 cells. Additionally, by241 inhibited mTOR, activated p53 and its downstream proteins, cleaved MDM2 and PI3K/AKT as well as NF-κB signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed that by241 did not have significant acute oral toxicity and exerted good anticancer efficacy against MGC-803 bearing mice models. Therefore, by241 may serve as a lead for further development for cancer therapy.

Oxindole: A chemical prism carrying plethora of therapeutic benefits

Oxindole has emerged as a valuable scaffold in medicinal chemistry possessing diverse range of pharmacological activities. Its value has further been increased by its natural occurrence as alkaloids in variety of plants. It was first extracted from the cat claw's plant Uncaria tomentosa found in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and Central America. Traditionally as well as present emerging therapeutic potential of oxindole nucleus has captured the interest of medicinal chemists to synthesize novel oxindole derivatives. In the present review the authors have integrated its chemistry and synthetic strategies developed after 1945. Also the information of naturally occurring oxindole alkaloids has been incorporated. The detailed pharmacological activities including anti-cancer, anti-HIV, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, kinase inhibitory, AChE inhibitory, anti-leishmanial, β3 adrenergic receptor agonistic, phosphatase inhibitory, analgesic, spermicidal, vasopressin antagonists, progesterone antagonists, neuroprotection, and NMDA blocker activities of oxindole derivatives alongwith their SAR has also been discussed in detail. Additionally, information regarding the oxindole derivatives in clinical trials has been incorporated. Thus, this review will provide insights for the synthetic as well as medicinal chemist for the designing and synthesis of novel oxindole derivatives with novel improved range of pharmacological implications.

NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles: A Green and Reusable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Spiro[indole-3,2′-Pyrrole]-2,5′(1H,1′H)-Diones

NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were used as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of spiro[indole-3,2′-pyrrole]-2,5′(1 H,1′ H)-diones by the multi-component condensation reaction of arylamines, acetylenedicarboxylates and isatins under reflux conditions in ethanol.

Multicomponent assembly of novel antiproliferative steroidal dihydropyridinyl spirooxindoles

Multicomponent assembly of steroidal dihydropyridinyl spirooxindoles from pregnenolone, isatins, malononitrile, and ammonium acetate is described, which involves the formation of two C-C bonds, two C-N bonds, and an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center in a single operation. MTT assays showed that some of these compounds had moderate to excellent cytotoxicity against the tested cancer cell lines and were more potent than 5-FU. Particularly, compound 5o represented excellent inhibitory effect toward EC-109 (IC50=0.3 μM), being about 33-fold more potent than 5-FU.

Efficient three-component one-pot synthesis of steroidal polysubstituted anilines

An efficient and practical base-promoted cascade reaction has been developed to access steroidal polysubstituted anilines from simple precursors. The protocol reported herein achieved the formation of a benzene ring as well as three continuous C-C bonds in a single operation. The reaction mechanism was proposed on the basis of the key intermediate obtained. Besides, this method could be potentially employed for the synthesis of biphenyl compounds. The adjacent amine and nitrile groups existed in the final products have the potential for late stage functionalization, which would provide efficient access to steroidal compound collections with structural diversity and complexity.

Efficient synthesis of novel antiproliferative steroidal spirooxindoles via the [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides

A series of novel steroidal spirooxindoles 3a-h were synthesized from pregnenolone in a high regioselective manner using the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as the key step. This protocol resulted in the formation of two C-C bonds, one C-N bond and the creation of one pyrrolidine ring and three contiguous stereocenters in a single operation. Biological evaluation showed that these synthesized steroidal spirooxindoles exhibited moderate to good antiproliferative activity against the tested cell lines and some of them were more potent than 5-FU. Among them, compounds 3e and 3f displayed the best antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells with the IC50 values of 4.0 and 3.9μM, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that compound 3d caused the cellular apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in a concentration-dependent manner. Docking results indicated that compound 3d fitted well into the MDM2 active site 1RV1 by interacting with Lys94 and Thr101 residues.

Combined inhibition of glycolysis, the pentose cycle, and thioredoxin metabolism selectively increases cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in human breast and prostate cancer

Inhibition of glycolysis using 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG, 20 mM, 24–48 h) combined with inhibition of the pentose cycle using dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 300 µM, 24–48 h) increased clonogenic cell killing in both human prostate (PC-3 and DU145) and human breast (MDA-MB231) cancer cells via a mechanism involving thiol-mediated oxidative stress. Surprisingly, when 2DG+DHEA treatment was combined with an inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis (l-buthionine sulfoximine; BSO, 1 mM) that depleted GSH>90% of control, no further increase in cell killing was observed during 48 h exposures. In contrast, when an inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity (Auranofin; Au, 1 µM), was combined with 2DG+DHEA or DHEA-alone for 24 h, clonogenic cell killing was significantly increased in all three human cancer cell lines. Furthermore, enhanced clonogenic cell killing seen with the combination of DHEA+Au was nearly completely inhibited using the thiol antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 20 mM). Redox Western blot analysis of PC-3 cells also supported the conclusion that thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) oxidation was enhanced by treatment DHEA+Au and inhibited by NAC. Importantly, normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) were not as sensitive to 2DG, DHEA, and Au combinations as their cancer cell counterparts (MDA-MB-231). Overall, these results support the hypothesis that inhibition of glycolysis and pentose cycle activity, combined with inhibition of Trx metabolism, may provide a promising strategy for selectively sensitizing human cancer cells to oxidative stress-induced cell killing.

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Inhibition of both glycolysis and pentose cycle causes oxidative stress in human breast and prostate cancer cells.

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Combining inhibition of glycolysis and pentose cycle with inhibition of thioredoxin reductase enhances cell killing of these human cancer cells.

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The toxicity and oxidative stress is selective for cancer vs. normal cells.

Discovery of novel steroidal pyran-oxindole hybrids as cytotoxic agents

A series of novel steroidal pyran-oxindole hybrids were efficiently synthesized in a single operation through the vinylogous aldol reaction of vinyl malononitrile 3 with substituted isatins involving the construction of C-C and C-O bonds. Some compounds displayed moderate to good cytotoxicity against T24, SMMC-7721, MCF-7 and MGC-803 cells. Compounds 4f and 4i were more potent than 5-Fu against T24 and MGC-803 cells with the IC50 values of 4.43 and 8.45 μM, respectively. Further mechanism studies indicated that compound 4i induced G2/M arrest and early apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.