Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of o-Carboxamido Stilbene Analogues

Resveratrol, a natural stilbene found in grapes and wines exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties. Resveratrol is also known as a good chemopreventive agent for inhibiting carcinogenesis processes that target kinases, cyclooxygenases, ribonucleotide reductase and DNA polymerases. A total of 19 analogues with an amide moiety were synthesized and the cytotoxic effects of the analogues on a series of human cancer cell lines are reported. Three compounds 6d, 6i and 6n showed potent cytotoxicity against prostate cancer DU-145 (IC(50) = 16.68 μM), colon cancer HT-29 (IC(50) = 7.51 μM) and breast cancer MCF-7 (IC(50) = 21.24 μM), respectively, which are comparable with vinblastine. The resveratrol analogues were synthesized using the Heck method.