Synthesis, characterization and antitumour activities of some synthetic curcuminoid analogues and their copper complexes

The cytotoxic and antitumour activities of four curcuminoid analogues, namely 1,7-diphenyl-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (HL1), 1,7-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (HL2), 1,7-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (HL3), 1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (HL4) and their CuII complexes were investigated.The Cu complexes were found to be more active as antitumour agents compared to the free curcuminoids, in both in vitro studies and in increasing the life span of tumour bearing mice. The synthesis and characterization of the curcuminoid analogues and their CuII chelates employing u.v., i.r., 1 H-n.m.r., e.s.r. and mass spectral studies are also included in this report.