Bioinspired-Metalloporphyrin Magnetic Nanocomposite as a Reusable Catalyst for Synthesis of Diastereomeric (−)-Isopulegol Epoxide: Anticancer Activity Against Human Osteosarcoma Cells (MG-63)

In the present study, we developed a green epoxidation approach for the synthesis of the diastereomers of (−)-isopulegol benzyl ether epoxide using molecular oxygen as the oxidant and a hybrid manganese(III)-porphyrin magnetic reusable nanocomposite as the catalyst. High activity, selectivity, and stability were obtained, with up to four recycling cycles without the loss of activity and selectivity for epoxide. The anticancer effect of the newly synthesized isopulegol epoxide diastereomers was evaluated on a human osteosarcoma cell line (MG-63); both diastereomers showed similar in vitro potency. The measured IC(50) values were significantly lower than those reported for other monoterpene analogues, rendering these epoxide isomers as promising anti-tumor agents against low prognosis osteosarcoma.